“The Creator” is the latest masterpiece from director Gareth Edwards, who previously captivated audiences with “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” the first spin-off film in the “Star Wars” series. This film, heavily promoted in Japan, may have caught your attention through its intriguing trailers. What sets this film apart is not just Edwards’ direction but his complete involvement from the original idea to the script and production, making it a truly original work that is sure to impress.

Stunning visual beauty that attracts audiences

The first thing that grabs people’s attention in this film is the overwhelmingly beautiful images created by the VFX. Director Edwards’s mastery of the VFX work, who has been in charge of numerous VFX projects, is breathtaking. No wonder this film has been nominated for and won multiple film awards in the visual effects category.

The film is set in 2055, shortly after AI and mankind are at war. VFX is used not only to create a “near-future city” but also to enhance the beauty of nature. In addition, a great deal of CG was used to express AI, and I was impressed by the high level of technology used. This VFX is a work that you will definitely want to enjoy as much as you can with a high-quality delivery.

The classic “father x girl” story

There are several standard molds for story characters and plots. This work can fall into the “uncle x girl” category. Joshua’s desperate fight to protect the girl and Alfie’s desperate efforts to defend him is a golden combination that will tug at the heartstrings of all who watch it. Alfie is a little too good for his good, and the adults around him seem a little foolish sometimes, but that’s the film’s charm. I think this is not just a science fiction film but also a war movie with a gritty and “dirty” feel. This plot could also apply to the original drama “The Mandalorian,” which became a big hit in the “Star Wars” series.

The director himself is a fan of the “Star Wars” series. His influence can be felt throughout the setting and story, so I think this film is easy for “Star Wars” fans to watch. Still, I thought it was not a film that would stick easily, especially for those who liked “The Mandalorian” and “Obi-Wan Kenobi.” It was not a film that would stick with people who like “The Mandalorian” or “Obi-Wan Kenobi. Of course, those who like “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” will also like this film. In Japanese films, we can feel the essence of “Wolf with Children,” which the director also professes to be a fan of.

Japanese culture and stories that easily stick with Japanese people

In this work, the conflict structure of humans vs. AI is represented by the United States and New Asia regions, respectively. New Asia is a region where various Asian countries and cultures are interwoven, and the goal is to create a world where humans and AI can coexist. Joshua and Alfie’s journey together has a somewhat Southeast Asian feel.

Japan is also included, and the sudden appearance of the Japanese language makes it easy for Japanese people to feel more comfortable on the New Asia side. In addition, there are several other scenes in which shadows of Japanese culture flicker here and there. In addition, Ken Watanabe plays Harun, the leader of New Asia’s AI forces, and Japanese people seem to empathize with the AI forces’ side easily. The film is set in a city in the middle of the film, and the atmosphere is somewhat reminiscent of “Ghost in the Shell 2.0”.

It seems obvious, given Director Edwards’ background. Although he is a British director, his inspiration for becoming a filmmaker came from the “Star Wars” series, which was also heavily influenced by Japanese culture. Furthermore, the director also professes to be a fan of the “Godzilla” series and directed the Hollywood version of the Godzilla movie, “Godzilla Godzilla. In the past, he was in charge of visual effects for “Hiroshima: BBC History of World War II [DVD],” a BBC documentary about the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Japan is as much a part of the director’s resume as Japanese culture is in the film.

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Hiroshima: BBC History of World War II [DVD]

The author feels that the shadow of the atomic bomb also flickers in Edwards’ films. Godzilla” is a film in which nuclear bombs and nuclear power are the keywords of the story, and it is rare for a Hollywood entertainment blockbuster to include a reference to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The depiction of the Death Star in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” was also reminiscent of a nuclear bomb. The Creator” also features an atomic bomb. Although the director says he created this scene with the 9/11 attacks in mind, many Japanese may still be reminded of the nuclear bombing of Japan.

On the contrary, America is portrayed as more of a villain in this film. Americans prefer good versus evil, but this film does not fall into that category. It is different from the hero movies that have been popular in recent years. For this reason, it is a work that Japanese people can relate to more quickly than Americans.

This film contains beautiful VFX images, a touching story of a hero and a girl, and various cultural essences familiar to Japanese people. It allows viewers to enjoy not only the action but also the colorful Asian landscapes and the journey!