Netflix breaks the bank to deliver flash in new Jennifer Lopez thriller

Netflix's new production has cost a substantial amount of money. "Atlas," with Jennifer Lopez, is so flashy that it's easy to forget the film about artificial intelligence lacking intelligence. And there's nothing wrong with that.

Ah, what times we live in. As more and more is said about the use of artificial intelligence and the problems associated with widespread AI adoption, filmmakers can't help but create their productions about it, likely trying to warn us about what might happen if we unquestioningly believe in AI. Such productions have already been made. To mention "The Matrix" best showcased what could occur when a machine rebellion happens. You could say the Wachowski sisters had a sense of taste when creating the vision of a post-apocalyptic world left to humans by machines.

Netflix's new production depicts the machine rebellion much more directly and brutally. "Atlas" starts quite promisingly.

In Brad Peyton's film, people heavily relied on robots daily, even for housemaids. But only for a while. Thanks to Harlan, played by Simu Liu, a higher form of AI, all security measures were breached, leading to the reprogramming of robots and their massive rebellion. The machines, which were supposed to help people, started killing them. On Earth, a gigantic massacre occurred, which seemed to be halted by humans. Harlan escaped somewhere into space, and the humans created the Worldwide Coalition of Nations to counter-attack the rebels made of wires and steel.

Harlan leaves a sinister message. He says he knows that people will look for him but warns that he will return and complete his work of destruction. Does it sound scary or funny? Instead, it must be admitted that the beginning of "Atlas" looks quite good, assuming it's just another action movie to watch while ironing, without expecting miracles from it.

What happens next? Jennifer Lopez finally appears. Her Atlas Shephard is an exceptional agent fighting against AI terrorists. Her mission is to track down Harland, with whom she has a personal vendetta. There's more personal stuff involved. Proud and undeterred by the massacre by robots, humans utilize a neurotransmitter designed by Atlas's mother to fight AI. The same device allowed Harlan to reprogram himself. Atlas wants to join the exceptional team tasked with stopping the terrorists on another planet, using lots of advanced technology. They quickly realize that besides pride, they have nothing else.

The entire film rests on the shoulders of its titular heroine. However, Atlas is not a strong, well-written character. There are plenty of contradictions. At first, she's presented as a cold, relationship-unconcerned agent, and then we get a kaleidoscope of scenes where she acts hysterically. Sometimes, it's unclear whether "Atlas" is a thriller, sci-fi, or comedy. These "funny" elements mainly come from Atlas disliking robots/artificial intelligence.

There may be no logic in this movie, but there is money and flashiness. There are a few exciting shots – including a view of a technologically transformed Los Angeles at the very beginning. It's a bit like the famous meme with Elbląg, which developed cosmically after the excavation of the Vistula Spit. Here, Netflix's money has transformed the City of Angels so much that you can take a screenshot and hang it as wallpaper.

"Atlas" will undoubtedly be in Netflix's TOP10 and attract millions of viewers in the coming days. It's good to see Jennifer Lopez in another action movie and not in a romantic comedy. It's just a pity that her character is written with a comedic touch. But maybe because of this, the production is not digestible. Anyone with a teenager inside who loves science fiction, action scenes with robots, and many explosions on the screen will be satisfied. The rest will continue ironing to the sounds of fights and Jennifer's screams.