- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
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- 18,428
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
Gareth Edwards' The Creator is an odd film, and something of which I was rather unaware until the new 4k disc showed up.
I figured that I'd check it out, based primarily upon - the slipcover - more on that later. And ended up spending over two hours with it. Partially enthralled by the effects and equally trying to figure out the plot/message/characters.
There are obvious tendrils here, harkening back to Apocalypse (especially one shot), Blade Runner, ET, and probably a few other films. You'll note them all.
Shot digitally, apparently with Sony Alpha camera and a DJI drone (or drones), and completed in 4k, it's a gorgeous 4k UHD disc, with a huge track aided by Dolby Atmos. It's seems to not be your grandfather's Panavision or Arri project. Greig Fraser, one of the DPs, worked on Rogue One, Zero Dark Thirty and Dune, gives us the connection to Mr. Edwards.
Shot in 2022, The Creator seems to be at least a partial impetus toward the SAG strike of 2023.
Judging from what I'm seeing in the film, at least half the cast - much of the film was shot in Bangkok, Thailand, Cambodia and Nepal - are automatons of some sort, all controlled by AI.
You can tell because the real actors have back to their heads as opposed to digi-mechnical aparatii.
From what I'm able to figure out from the plot, the film takes place in the reasonably near future, after a group of rogue AIs nuke Los Angeles.
This makes some folks uncomfortable. They burn their Megans and join forces around the world to defeat the AIs. One enclave in the Far East is protecting them, and a top military killer, another typecast role for Allison Janney - is sent in to take care of things. But Joshua, who was in love with and may have had a child with an AI, takes on the job in order to find his wife.
The leader of the AIs seems to be a sweet young girl AI - think ET, who may be Joshua's daughter.
Some of you may be able to sense my confusion, even though the concept and storyline is still head and shoulders above The Big Sleep.
Special effects are gorgeous, and are helped by appropriate sound effects - this is not a silent - and the entire project works, even if I may not fully understand it.
But here's the important part.
The "slip," aka slipcover.
When I originally unboxed this disc. The video is too large to post. I was stunned by its design. And for slipcovers collectors, this one is a must own in all its First Edition beauty. I'm betting that later pressing will eliminate this because of cost.
It should win the 2023 4k slipcover award.
The basic artwork is all in matte finish, with the bad-girl leader at the center, surrounded by the character of less importance.
Colors are soft and delicate, with a light blue (sky) background, showing one of the air attack vehicles at the left.
The entire cover is printed over reflective silver - once again probably that of the source of the Kane fortune - but here's the kicker, and what makes this cover so special.
The AI humanoids have a hold going through their heads, where an ear might be. I presume this is for cooling all the chips inside. Bad things happen if AI humanoids overheat.
And what's going on is that in this single area, the full silver is allowed to show through with nothing printed atop.
And it's stunning. The effect is used to a slightly lesser effect in the surrounding areas.
Below the illustration in title logotype are the words THE CREATOR, printed over the matte material in a glossy white.
The entire aura of the design works, and even if the film were unworthy of purchase, this would make the new 4K UHD from Disney/Fox a required addition to any serious home theater collection.
One final thought...
As I watched the film, I made note of the aspect ratio, saying to myself. "This is odd. Doesn't look like 2.40."
It wasn't.
The film is presented at 2.76. Hitherto, I believe only used for Ultra-Panavision 70 and Camera 65.
Image – 10 (HDR10)
Audio – 10 (Dolby Atmos)
Pass / Fail – Pass
Plays nicely with projectors - Yes
Makes use of and works well in 4k - 9
Worth your attention - 8
Slipcover rating - 9
Recommended
RAH
Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.
I figured that I'd check it out, based primarily upon - the slipcover - more on that later. And ended up spending over two hours with it. Partially enthralled by the effects and equally trying to figure out the plot/message/characters.
There are obvious tendrils here, harkening back to Apocalypse (especially one shot), Blade Runner, ET, and probably a few other films. You'll note them all.
Shot digitally, apparently with Sony Alpha camera and a DJI drone (or drones), and completed in 4k, it's a gorgeous 4k UHD disc, with a huge track aided by Dolby Atmos. It's seems to not be your grandfather's Panavision or Arri project. Greig Fraser, one of the DPs, worked on Rogue One, Zero Dark Thirty and Dune, gives us the connection to Mr. Edwards.
Shot in 2022, The Creator seems to be at least a partial impetus toward the SAG strike of 2023.
Judging from what I'm seeing in the film, at least half the cast - much of the film was shot in Bangkok, Thailand, Cambodia and Nepal - are automatons of some sort, all controlled by AI.
You can tell because the real actors have back to their heads as opposed to digi-mechnical aparatii.
From what I'm able to figure out from the plot, the film takes place in the reasonably near future, after a group of rogue AIs nuke Los Angeles.
This makes some folks uncomfortable. They burn their Megans and join forces around the world to defeat the AIs. One enclave in the Far East is protecting them, and a top military killer, another typecast role for Allison Janney - is sent in to take care of things. But Joshua, who was in love with and may have had a child with an AI, takes on the job in order to find his wife.
The leader of the AIs seems to be a sweet young girl AI - think ET, who may be Joshua's daughter.
Some of you may be able to sense my confusion, even though the concept and storyline is still head and shoulders above The Big Sleep.
Special effects are gorgeous, and are helped by appropriate sound effects - this is not a silent - and the entire project works, even if I may not fully understand it.
But here's the important part.
The "slip," aka slipcover.
When I originally unboxed this disc. The video is too large to post. I was stunned by its design. And for slipcovers collectors, this one is a must own in all its First Edition beauty. I'm betting that later pressing will eliminate this because of cost.
It should win the 2023 4k slipcover award.
The basic artwork is all in matte finish, with the bad-girl leader at the center, surrounded by the character of less importance.
Colors are soft and delicate, with a light blue (sky) background, showing one of the air attack vehicles at the left.
The entire cover is printed over reflective silver - once again probably that of the source of the Kane fortune - but here's the kicker, and what makes this cover so special.
The AI humanoids have a hold going through their heads, where an ear might be. I presume this is for cooling all the chips inside. Bad things happen if AI humanoids overheat.
And what's going on is that in this single area, the full silver is allowed to show through with nothing printed atop.
And it's stunning. The effect is used to a slightly lesser effect in the surrounding areas.
Below the illustration in title logotype are the words THE CREATOR, printed over the matte material in a glossy white.
The entire aura of the design works, and even if the film were unworthy of purchase, this would make the new 4K UHD from Disney/Fox a required addition to any serious home theater collection.
One final thought...
As I watched the film, I made note of the aspect ratio, saying to myself. "This is odd. Doesn't look like 2.40."
It wasn't.
The film is presented at 2.76. Hitherto, I believe only used for Ultra-Panavision 70 and Camera 65.
Image – 10 (HDR10)
Audio – 10 (Dolby Atmos)
Pass / Fail – Pass
Plays nicely with projectors - Yes
Makes use of and works well in 4k - 9
Worth your attention - 8
Slipcover rating - 9
Recommended
RAH
Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.
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