SUPERINTELLIGENCE
US, 2020, 106 minutes, Colour.
Melissa Mc Carthy, James Corden, Bobby Cannavale, Brian Tyree Henry, Sam Richardson, Ben Falcone, Michael Beach, Jean Smart, Rachel Ticotin, Karan Soni, Ken Griffey Jr, voices of: Octavia Spencer, William Daniels.
Directed by Ben Falcone.
It is definitely a risk for a film to have a title which could be considered ironically, critics turning the title back on the film itself. Downhill is a prime example of the wrong title, enabling critics to say that was where the film was headed.
This comedy is not a superintelligent film. However, it is slight comedy amusing in its way, an agreeable enough pastime. And, it is a star vehicle for Melissa McCarthy?. While she is bubbling in her usual way, she portrays a much more sympathetic character than usual. And, she appears with her husband, Ben Falcone, who also directed the film.
And the Superintelligence? This is a kind of IT apocalyptic comedy!
Melissa McCarthy? is Carol, skilled, but devoting herself to charitable causes. She has broken with her boyfriend, George, a literature Professor, played pleasantly by Bobby Cannavale. She has a good friend, Dennis (Brian Tyree Henry) who gives her advice to apply for jobs. There is a parody of this kind of interview as she meets to supercilious executives who inconsequentially meet her and get her to sit on an enormous beanbag with bouncing and awkward consequences.
Then, at home, she hears a voice. And the voices are coming through her electrical appliances in the house, all of them. The voice is Superintelligence who seem to have taken control of the IT world, infiltrated systems, including defence systems, and who may be intent on destroying the world. But, before that, Superintelligence wants to learn a bit more about human nature. And its choice is Carol. (And to make it easier for her, Superintelligence takes on the voice and sometimes the appearance of comedian and television host, James Corden to, for Dennis, Octavia Spencer!.)
The comedy is in Caroll’s interaction with Superintelligence, urging her to go to see George again, some happy times with him – although he is on his way to lecture in Ireland for a year. Should she warned him about the end of the world? To stay with her…
Meantime, world authorities, including the President of the United States (Jean Smart) are meeting to deal with the crisis and to combat Superintelligence.
Is the world going to end with a bang – or a whimper? Or will Carol save the day. Your guess!
A mixture of the genial and the apocalyptic.
1. The title? The IT theme? Power, the apocalyptic theme? Yet a romantic comedy?
2. Vehicle for Melissa Mc Carthy, her presence, comic style, the chance for romance, for selflessness?
3. The Seattle settings, the vistas of the city, apartments, offices, IT and military headquarters? The musical score?
4. The credibility of the plot? A romantic comedy variation on apocalyptic?
5. Carol, her story, age and experience, past relationship with George, the break up? Her skills, her charity work, contribution? Friendship with Dennis, his advice on jobs, going to the interview, the supercilious attitudes of the interviewers, the beanbag comedy…?
6. The intervention of the Superintelligence? Carol woken up, all her implements and gadgets communicating the voice? Knowing absolutely everything about her? The choice of the voice of James Carden, soothing her? The comic interactions around the house? The challenge, the explanation, the Superintelligence choosing her to study to understand human nature? But the plan to destroy the world? The continued comedy throughout the film with Carol and her interaction with the voice?
7. Dennis, his associates, IT, their investigations? The revelation of the military centre in Washington State? Tracking Superintelligence? The two agents, surveillance of Carol, abducting her, questioning her, ultimately trying to protect her?
8. Dennis, his experience of Superintelligence, believing Carol? Advising the president?
9. Carol, her relationship with George, his lecturing, their breakup, seeing him again, the test for Superintelligence, her enjoying the encounter, wanting to leave, the disappearance of the car, the night with George? His going to Ireland? The outing to the stadium, his fan attitude and self is with Ken Griffey? Yet Carol sad, the warning, wanting to save George, helping him pack, letting him go for his happiness?
10. Superintelligence not understanding Carol’s self-sacrifice, desires for George? Having to reassess the whole experiment?
11. Chaos around the world, loss of power, blackouts, crises, nuclear war and threats? The president in the room? Superintelligence and its domination, and the changing of its mind? The world saved?
12. Carol, going to George, happy ending?
13. Participation of James Corden, as the voice, as himself, the final ride with Carol and the singing of the song?
