Jennifer Lopez, with her multi-faceted skills as an actress, singer, and producer, truly represents the idea of superstardom in the entertainment world. Her allure transcends across varied genres and mediums – from rom-coms and heist films to self-produced projects and Superbowl appearances. However, regardless of the quality of the project, Lopez’s magnetic charisma never fails to engage her audience.
Her recent venture into sci-fi, the underwhelming "Atlas," helmed by Brad Peyton, is a perfect example of this. This AI-centered film may lack the grandeur of cinematic giants like "Minority Report," "I, Robot," or "Gravity," but doesn't fail to highlight Lopez’s tenacity, against all CGI blandness and awkward plot developments.
The film’s cheesy dialogues aside, the story of data analyst Atlas Shepherd (Lopez) maneuvering a future AI-controlled world and outer space comes second to the real draw of the film, Lopez herself. The narrative's straight-to-streaming release, however, arguably diminishes the experience for viewers, who may have drawn more enjoyment from viewing it in a shared environment.
In the movie, Atlas harbors a deep loathing for AI but is forced to depend on these very forces she despises during a mission, led by Colonel Elias Banks (K. Brown), on an unstable planet. Stuck in a mecha suit controlled by Simon, an AI entity, the question arises: can the notoriously skeptical and snarky Atlas learn to trust Simon and enable it to merge with her brain?
The film’s choice to highlight the benefits of AI and its compatibility with humans feels incongruously light-hearted given the implicit threat of AI replacing human creativity. The evolving relationship between Atlas and the increasingly personified Simon is intended to symbolize the importance of trust in human relationships, but falls short of imparting any depth or relevance.
Despite its plot's shortcomings and reliance on well-worn sci-fi motifs, "Atlas" has one redeeming feature: Jennifer Lopez. Lopez’s entire career is a testament to her ability to shine even in disappointing projects. Notwithstanding the film's flaws, her radiant presence is undeniably a win.
