2 out of 5 stars
Our world is one of constant observation as we become exceedingly dependent on our devices. Mobile phones, computers and video surveillance have become an integral part of everyone's life. Elements that most of us forget even are present in every aspect of our lives. This component of our earthly existence is what director Ben Falcone (Spy) taps into for his latest outing with his wife, Melissa McCarthy (Can You Ever Forgive Me?).
One of the world’s most recognisable comedians takes on the Seattle-based, philanthropically minded Carol Peters's role. A former tech executive who chose to leave behind her corporate position and most of her personal life for the sake of her multitude of causes. As she wrestles with her current career struggles and relational missteps, Carol is woken up by an unfamiliar voice that seems to know her every move. As it seems to inhabit all of her electronic devices, the unknown entity finally identifies himself as Super Intelligence (voiced by James Cordon).
Super Intelligence is a force that has managed to inhabit every aspect of human society through intricate technology and has recently become self-aware. This has led the technological poltergeist to introduce himself to the world and specifically to Carol. His revelation is meant to determine one of three outcomes that he must choose as an outcome for humanity. Either that the human race can change for good, enslave them, or merely eradicate all of mankind to restart the planet. Carol’s role is to help the omniscient being understand human interactions and help him choose the fate of the world.
What comes off as the set up for the latest dystopian adventure is actually the latest MacCarthy/Falcone comedic release. Even though their film confronts a multitude of existential considerations, it turns into a harmless comedy with a stern message to humanity at the end of the day.
Those with any theological awareness will see how they are trying to capture the same messaging and methods of Bruce Almighty without acknowledging God. By addressing the faults of mankind with a few laughs, pratfalls and a bit of romance, it is reminiscent of Mary Poppins’ spoonful of sugar to make the medicine go down method. This convoluted screenplay is merely a warning for humanity to change its treatment of this world or a naive, judgmental super-tech entity will kill us all. All Carol needs to do is get back with her old boyfriend, played by Bobby Cannavale (Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle) and prove hope for our existence. A premise that is supposed to be funny, but eventually becomes a bully pulpit that offers no real solutions for the world’s problems.
Admittedly, it was refreshing to have a Melissa McCarthy film that did not involve gratuitous language and excessive pratfalls. Which made this accessible to a broader audience, but it seemed to prove that this couple fails to be humorous unless they include a substantial amount of foul dialogue. This left massive plot holes and disjointed narratives that will leave most audiences perplexed as they leave the theatre. What starts with promise eventually turns into a confusing mess of wires that lead nowhere except to promote Tesla and Microsoft.
Superintellience is anything but intelligent. This film actually insults your intelligence and fails to deliver on its comedy or message to society. McCarthy and Falcone are talented and connected in Hollywood. Still, this project fails to communicate with anyone else in the world.
Is there a super-intelligence out there?
Yes, but it does not have the voice of James Cordon or Octavia Spencer. What was fascinating about this film is that it asks all of the right questions, but it offered no solutions. It could be argued that this is a comedy and it is not meant to have hard answers, but it offered nothing: no hope, no resolution, no solutions, just a hopeless, godless existence.
Thankfully humanity does not have to be left with these answers to our current situation. The Bible offers mankind hope, mercy, grace, resolution, solutions and a God who loves us. An entity that is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent. One that is not naive to the workings of the hearts of man, because he created them. This opens the discussion to consider if these are the answers people want to this world's problems.
