Gareth Edwards returns to the Hollywood spotlight in 2023 with his release ofThe Creator, the project that was simmering for years in New Regency. The long-awaited return of one of the industry’s most interesting filmmakers tells the story of an agent assigned with the task of hunting down an entity called the “Creator”, after humans discover it has created a weapon that could wipe us off the face of the Earth.
Of course, there’s a catch in Joshua Taylor’s mission. He doesn’t know what this artificial intelligence representative is, and when he finally finds out, priorities… change.The Creatorhas been called a science fiction story that returns the faith to the genre by introducing a great balance between a compelling storyline and a technical backdrop that’s always secondary to the script. Considering how small the offer of science fiction epics we get today is,The Creatoris a great plan to indulge in the genre.
Edwards has been clear aboutnot continuing The Creatorwith unnecessary sequels, so here are some othersci-fi filmsfeaturing technology and artificial intelligence that will keep you in the mood.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
James Cameron’s epic sequel to the franchise he created,Terminator 2: Judgment Day, is a great sci-fi action thriller that hasn’t aged one bit. Featuring state-of-the-art special effects that still look great, the film depicts Sarah Connor and her son John’s journey as they get visited by androids from the future. Only this time, the T-800 has been reprogrammed to defend the leader of the Resistance (John) against an awesome liquid metal terminator called the T-1000.
This is undoubtedly thebest film in the franchise, which should finally take a rest after the debacles that have been the latest films.
Bicentennial Man (1999)
Starring Robin Williams in one of his most underrated performances,Bicentennial Manis the story of Andrew, an android who, upon working for a family he connects with, starts developing emotions. The thing is, considering he’s an android, some rules still apply, and eventually Andrew clashes with a society where his kind are seen as servants and slaves.
Related:The Creator: The Deeper Meaning Behind the Sci-Fi Movie, Explained
Chris Columbus' film is very emotional, and some called it ahead of its time. But it wasn’t enough for audiences, and it turned out to be box-office flop that didn’t gross back its budget. Regardless, it’s worth revisiting just to evidence a good take on the relationship we’re able to develop with artificial intelligence.
I, Robot (2004)
Wow, Will Smith’s Del Spooner inI, Robotreally doesn’t care for robots or artificial intelligence. In Alex Proyas' film, Spooner is an old-fashioned detective who disregards every chance at technology he gets with his job. Considering he lives in an android-infested society, Spooner doesn’t have a good time. When it’s time to investigate the murder of the founder of an android-building company, Spooner, of course, suspects an android may be the culprit.
Minority Report (2002)
Steven Spielberg’sMinority Reportis a mystery thriller about a law enforcement agent who is part of a team in charge of preventing crimes. However, ethics are kind of twisted in this futuristic society where a) scientists use the psychic ability of poor humans subjected to exploitation 24/7, and b) police use technology to see the future where you commit crimes, and then arrest you before you do it. The thing is, why should they arrest you if you actually haven’t done anything? The film’scommentaryon surveillance and our permanent connection to the digital world is more relevant today than ever.
However, the plot revolves around Chief Anderton, the Precrime officer who sees himself committing a crime and runs away with the “video” before anyone sees it.
Morgan (2016)
In 2016’sMorgan, it’s all about risk, and no one identifies it early enough. The film tells the story of a company that’s been able to recreate a humanoid entity using synthetic DNA. In a couple of years, Morgan looks like a teenage girl and is just more capable than most human beings. She’s able to solve difficult problems and emotionally engages just like any other girl.
But Lee Weathers doesn’t see it like that. She evaluates risks and recognizes the project has some… issues. Soon after, Morgan shows her true intentions: she’s been engineered to be some sort of weapon, and rebels against the people that made her. The “girl” is played by Anya Taylor-Joy in a very underappreciated performance.
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)
Spielberg’s vision of technology is as beautiful as it is scrutinizing. In his fantasy fableA.I. Artificial Intelligence, he asks the same questions, but through the perspective of a child robot whose only intention is to be a real boy. Yes, a Pinocchio story set in the future where the limits between human civilization and artificial intelligence dangerously vanish away.
A.I. Artificial Intelligenceisn’t a horror film by any means. Nevertheless, the story takes such a dark and ominous turn that it’s still regarded as ahead of its time in its poignantmessage about boundariesthat should be stronger.
Ex Machina (2015)
In Alex Garland’sEx Machina, a programmer accepts to participate as the key player in a Turing test to be applied to an artificial intelligence entity that lives in the huge household of a technology mogul. Caleb starts the gig with optimism and is hesitant to engage with the emotionally capable robot. But soon after, he finds himself engaged in a relationship that he should have foreseen.
Garland’s film is powerful and relevant. He asks the right questions and replies to them with the obscure answers that are typical of the dystopian version of every genre study. In any case, it’s a very interesting film about artificial intelligence that never gets off the rails.
Related:10 Sci-Fi Movies That Actually Have Utopias Instead of Dark Dystopias
Blade Runner (1982)
Blade Runnerby Ridley Scott tells a story set in the future where androids are designed to work as slaves in outer space. However, a rogue group of robots comes back to Earth to hunt down whoever created them. Fortunately, “blade runner” Rick Deckard, is commissioned to find them and get rid of them.
Scott’s film is gritty and grim. It depicts a future we don’t want to be part of. The premise is simple, but through a great character development, we connect with Deckard’s conflict as he falls for the wrong girl and puts his mission in danger. More than 40 years after its release, we are still trying to solve Scott’s riddle, and we can’t seem to accept the fact thatwe’re not asking the right questions.
After Yang (2021)
Kogonada writes and directsAfter Yangand features another side of future societies that we’re simply not familiar with, and yes, we should. Why? The same old reason for analyzing our relationship with technology and how we come to depend on it without realizing there may be more to it than we think.
The film tells the story of Jake, a husband and father, who lives with his wife Kyra, their adopted daughter, and their robotic teenage son Yang. They’re used to competing in dance contests, but one day after a very intense dance off, Yang becomes unresponsive. Jake takes it upon himself to repair his “son” and discovers a lot more about the technology behind his emotionally responsive unit. Justin H. Min as Yangtotally steals the movie.
D.A.R.Y.L. (1985)
D.A.R.Y.L.correctly delivers its family-friendly message about love between humans and machines. The PG-rated film never fully acknowledges its darker tone and plot elements because it’s part of the ’80s catalog of films that disguised themselves as optimistic.
A family finds Daryl and takes him under their wing, and adopts him as a normal boy. But the boy (the meaning behind his name being Data-Analyzing Robot Youth Lifeform) is actually a robot entity that’s capable of harsh decisions if put under pressure. The fact that the boy is capable of flying a fighter jet and engaging in conflict is just terrifying. Then again,D.A.R.Y.L.has a happy ending where the robot’s capacities aren’t fully explored.
