SUPERINTELLIGENCE (HBO) (2020)




SYNOPSIS: When an all-powerful AI (James Corden) chooses to study the most average person on Earth, Carol Peters (Melissa McCarthy), it’s the perfect recipe for a Thanksgiving movie.

MOVIE REVIEW:

You don't need to possess Superintelligence to hate a movie liked Superintelligence. Maybe it's time someone starts a petition to stop Melissa McCarthy from working with her husband, actor and director Ben Falcone. 

A former tech executive, Carol (McCarthy) finds her life being taken over by a powerful AI (voiced by Brit talkshow host and actor James Corden) one day. Apparently, the fate of humanity lies in the hands of Carol as the AI intends to use her as a case study to determine if humanity is worth saving or risk facing a pending apocalypse.

Thus, Carol is being tasked by the AI to make up with her ex, George (Bobby Cannavale), a charismatic literature professor who is about to go for a one-year stint in Ireland. But when Carol’s BFF, Dennis (Brian Tyree Henry) informs the government about the presence of the potentially dangerous AI, the President and NSA agents are activated to take action on Carol. Will humanity be saved in the end? Or indirectly destroyed by the all too average Carol?

Unfortunately, Superintelligence is equipped with none of the wits, jokes or rom-com mushy magic to make it work. Just when you thought it’s going to be funny sci-fi comedy filled with jabs on the subject of artificial intelligence, the story does a 360-degree turn into rom-com territory. Even though Cannavale and McCarthy emits some likeable chemistry, charm alone simply can’t salvage this monotonous flick.

There’s not much development that goes into our main characters either. Carol is just the average girl who probably left George because she feels inferior. George being such a nice dude probably feels it’s best for Carol to pursue something or someone she deserves. None of the plotting feel exactly refreshing or interesting.

Why did the AI picked Carol to be the person for his litmus test? We are equally puzzled as well. Probably James Corden charged a lower fee for voicing and the occasional showcasing of his face here. Or likely the director is the husband of the lead actress.

Superintelligence marks the fourth collaboration between McCarthy and Falcone. They don’t really have an amazing record of working together so I wonder who is the executive who greenlit this absolutely yawn fest. As it goes along, it just gets more and more pointless and McCarthy simply lacks the opportunities to showcase her comedic powers and talents. Even the Tesla is more memorable than anything in the entire movie.  

MOVIE RATING:

Review by Linus Tee



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ABOUT THE MOVIE

Genre: Comedy
Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Bobby Cannavale, Brian Tyree Henry, Sam Richardson, Ben Falcone, James Corden
Director: Ben Falcone
Year Made: 2020

 

 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Languages: English
Running Time: 1 hr 46 mins