Jennifer Lopez’s Atlas Crashes and Burns: A Sci-Fi Disaster of Galactic Proportions

“Atlas,” the latest sci-fi endeavor featuring Jennifer Lopez on Netflix, is an astonishingly tedious misfire that makes even the most patient viewer regret their life choices. From the get-go, this film seems determined to set new records in uninspired storytelling, lackluster acting, and mind-numbing clichés.

Watch the official trailer for Netflix’s Atlas

First off, the plot—or whatever semblance of one there is—feels like it was cobbled together from the discarded scraps of a thousand better sci-fi movies. We’re thrust into a dystopian future where nothing makes sense and even less happens. Jennifer Lopez, who plays the titular character, delivers a performance so wooden that it makes Pinocchio look like a Shakespearean actor. Her character is meant to be a tough, battle-hardened hero, but she comes across as more bored than badass.

The special effects are another glaring disappointment. Despite the advancements in CGI, “Atlas” manages to make futuristic landscapes look like they were rendered on a budget equivalent to a weekly allowance. The robots, which should be a highlight, move with all the grace of malfunctioning toasters, and the space battles are about as thrilling as watching paint dry.

Then there’s the dialogue. It’s almost impressive how consistently atrocious it is. Characters spout lines that are meant to be profound but come off as laughably pretentious or painfully banal. The script tries to tackle deep themes about humanity and survival, but it’s hard to take any of it seriously when every other line is a cringeworthy attempt at sounding futuristic and edgy.

Even the supporting cast, which includes some usually reliable actors, seem to have given up trying. Their performances range from over-the-top hammy to utterly disinterested. It’s as if everyone involved realized early on that this film was a lost cause and decided to just phone it in.

“Atlas” also suffers from severe pacing issues. Scenes drag on interminably, and the action sequences—supposed to be the film’s saving grace—are few and far between, leaving vast stretches of dull exposition and pointless character interactions. By the time the climactic showdown limps to its conclusion, you’ll be too numb from boredom to care about the outcome.

In summary, “Atlas” is a spectacularly bad film that fails on nearly every conceivable level. It’s a sci-fi snoozefest that manages to squander a potentially interesting premise with poor execution and a complete lack of imagination. If you value your time, steer clear of this cinematic black hole.