The Creator

I went to an early access screening for The Creator last night and I loved it so much!  In the near future, an advanced artificial intelligence detonates a nuclear weapon in Los Angeles causing the death of millions and prompting a war between the United States and countries that refuse to ban AI.  Joshua Taylor (John David Washington), a special forces agent, goes undercover in New Asia to find the creator of this advanced AI but ends up marrying Maya (Gemma Chan), the daughter of the man he believes to be responsible.  When Maya and his unborn child are killed during an attack by the USS Nomad, an airship with weapons of superior firepower, he returns home a bitter and disillusioned man who is viewed as a traitor.  Five years later, because he knows the area better than anyone else, he is recruited by General Andrews (Ralph Ineson) and Colonel Howell (Allison Janney) to lead a mission back to New Asia to find a powerful new weapon developed by the creator that could defeat the U.S. but he is more motivated by the news that Maya might still be alive.  He eventually discovers the weapon in the form of a "simulant" child he names Alphie (Madeleine Yuna Voyles) and, when he decides to protect this advanced AI because of a possible connection to Maya, he rediscovers his humanity.  This is a bold and original sci-fi thriller and, even though the action set pieces become a bit unwieldy in the final act, the world-building is intriguing, the images are absolutely stunning (definitely see it in IMAX), and the story is incredibly thought-provoking.  It tackles important themes of what it means to be alive, the futility of war, and the fear of those who are different but, at its core, it is about a relationship that is brought to life beautifully by outstanding performances from Washington and Voyles (at one point I had tears in my eyes during an especially poignant moment between the two characters regarding the existence of heaven).  I also really loved the moving score by Hans Zimmer because it adds so much emotional weight.  This is definitely one of my favorite movies this year and I highly recommend it!