The Creator (12A)
Directed by Gareth Edwards
★★★★
 

THE ethical pros and cons of artificial intelligence, which is the topic de jour, is the focal point of this visually breathtaking epic sci-fi action thriller from British co-writer and director Gareth Edwards (Rogue One). 
 
Set in 2065 when the human race is at war with AI forces, Joshua (John David Washington), an ex-special forces agent who is grieving the loss of his wife (Gemma Chan), is recruited to hunt down the Creator. This is the mysterious architect of advanced AI who devised a weapon that can end both the conflict and mankind itself. When Joshua goes behind enemy lines in New Asia, he discovers that the said device is a young AI girl called Alphie (an impressive Madeleine Yuna Voyles who steals the film) who is only interested in watching cartoons. 
 
How does he go about killing an adorable and innocent-looking AI child who ends up bonding with him? While he begins to see her as an entity in her own right, to his boss Colonel Howell (a phenomenal Allison Janney) she is an apocalyptic weapon that must be destroyed at all costs. 
 
Edwards’ gripping drama explores what it means to be human and whether AI can be conscious and be good or evil. In fact, it is the AI that shows the greatest humanity in contrast to Joshua’s superiors who are devoid of compassion or insight, and hell-bent on annihilating all AI. 
 
Like Joshua, you too become invested in Alphie and at times you forget she isn’t human. The special effects are outstanding, and it is a stunning looking film and surprisingly moving. 
 
Ambitious and thought provoking, it has to be enjoyed on the big screen. 

Out in cinemas from Friday

Flora and Son (15)
Directed by John Carney
★★★★
 

FROM the writer-director of Once, Begin Again and Sing Street, John Carney delivers another gorgeous musical drama set in Dublin, this time about a single mother and her troubled teenage son. 
 
Eve Hewson captivates as a foul-mouthed young mum who tries to connect with her moody child Max (Oren Kinlan) with the aid of a guitar she has salvaged from a dumpster. Flora (Hewson) decides to learn how to play it herself, taking classes online with Jeff (Joseph Gordon-Levitt in charismatic form) who is in California. As their lessons progress and a friendship and a deeper connection blossoms, Gordon-Levitt seamlessly appears by Flora’s side though he isn’t actually there. Their growing encounters prove heart stopping while those with her ex and Max’s father (Jack Reynor) prove painful. 
 
Carney delivers a multi layered drama which is magical and touching ending on a crowd pleasing note. 
 

Available on Apple TV+ from Friday 

The Retirement Plan (15)
Directed by Tim Brown
★★★

 
NICHOLAS CAGE is back in deliciously unhinged form as a drunken beach bum in the Cayman Islands whose quiet life is upended when his estranged daughter and granddaughter turn up on his doorstep seeking his help in this madcap comedy action film exploring family values from writer-director Tim Brown. 
 
The retired Matt (Cage) is forced to protect Ashley (Ashley Greene) and her daughter Sarah (Thalia Campbell) from crime boss Donnie (Jackie Earle Haley) and his lieutenant Bobo (Ron Perlman) who have tracked them down. Ashley soon discovers there is more to her father than meets the eye as he leaves a high but inventively artful body count in his wake. 
 
Shot on location in the stunning Cayman Islands during the pandemic, which might explain in part the impressive cast, this film has its tongue firmly in its cheek as it pokes fun at the genre. 
 
The biggest revelation is newcomer Campbell who holds her own opposite heavyweights Cage and Perlman. There is a memorable scene between the youngster and Perlman in which their characters seemingly bond over William Shakespeare’s Othello, which proves both touching yet disturbing. 

Cage himself is on wonderful comic form in this ridiculous yet hugely entertaining caper. 

Available on digital platforms from Friday

Where the Wind Blows (15)
Directed by Philip Yung
★★★

 
PHILIP YUNG’s long awaited follow up to Port of Call is a bold and visually arresting epic crime thriller which spans several decades. 
 
It is loosely based on the rise and fall of the notorious “Four Great Sergeants” in 1960s Hong Kong. It follows the friendship and rivalry of two police detectives Lui Lok (Aaron Kwok) and Nam Kong (Tony Leung Chiu-wai), known as the headless. 
 
Recounted in a non-linear structure as the story moves back and forth from the present to the past it proves very distracting and a little hard to keep up at times. 
 
Slick and terribly stylish the film explores the corruption within the Hong Kong police force as both men transform from righteous cops into morally corrupt ones as they take on the Triads at their own game. 
 
It is exquisitely shot and features the odd bizarre musical number interwoven with violent shoot-outs. 
 
It is both fascinating and surreal and driven by powerhouse performances by Kwok and Chiu-wai in their first on-screen pairing. 

Out in cinemas Friday