Cast
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Melissa McCarthy
as Carol Peters
James Corden
as Superintelligence (voice) / James Corden
Bobby Cannavale
as George Churchill
Brian Tyree Henry
as Dennis Caruso
Sam Richardson
as John Donahue
Ben Falcone
as Charles Kuiper
Michael Beach
as Saul Gomez
Rachel Ticotin
as Director Tyson
Jean Smart
as President Monahan
Sarah Baker
as Emily
Jessica St. Clair
as Leslie
Karan Soni
as Ahmed
Ken Griffey Jr.
as Ken Griffey, Jr.
Octavia Spencer
as Octavia Spencer (voice)
William Daniels
as KITT (voice)
Crew
Director
- Ben Falcone
Writer
- Steve Mallory
Producer
- Melissa McCarthy
- Rob Cowan
- Ben Falcone
Reviews
SWITCH.
Ben Falcone and Melissa McCarthy are two people whose partnership should be hitting home runs. They know each other's strengths and weaknesses to such an intimate level that it's a no-brainer. So why doesn't it work? Box office-wise, their collaborations are bringing in less money with each new outing - and now, thanks to COVID-19, who knows if studios will be willing to back these two again. If this is the case, they are <i>not</i> going out on a high note. Perhaps this is a good opportunity to go back to formula. With around 60 years of comedy experience between them, we know they're better than this. If only they knew it themselves.
- Jess Fenton
Read Jess' full article...
https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-superintelligence-mccarthy-plays-a-painfully-average-human-and-the-irony-is-truly-lost
Dec 6, 2020
Peter McGinn
This was a fun movie to watch, which was, as far as I can see, all it promised to be. It didn’t try to squeeze into the canon of sophisticated sci-fi, though some reviews I read on another site seemed to suggest it was trying to do just that.
This is basically a romantic comedy with a satirical look at our dependence upon technology thrown in, which I suspect hit too close to home for some people. I appreciated that film rarity, a woman who is not razor thin being a romantic lead, with a bonus of not even having her mention her weight once. Larger men are often romantic leads, but women, not so much.
The more I see Melissa McCarthy the more I appreciate some subtleties of acting rather than just the comedic stuff. She has a good rapport with her co-star, and of course with the voice and image of James Corden, who I gather some people also don’t like, but I think he is great fun, and, incidentally, a good writer (see Gavin and Stacy)
A person can of course sit back and poke holes in the plot here and there, but if you find yourself doing that, perhaps you aren’t in the spirit of the thing and need to dust off 2001 A Space Odyssey and watch it for the 21st time. Then later on, if you are in the mood for a few cheap laughs and want to feel your main squeeze burrow her face into your neck, put this movie on. I mean, your know the title is ironic, right?
Oh, and I really don’t rate this movie a ten, but I wanted to offset what must have been some ridiculously low ratings based on — well, perhaps I shouldn’t speculate.
Jan 2, 2021
Crazypiglady
I really liked this film. I chose it as something suitable for me and teenage kids. It was a bit of a gamble but I was pleasantly surprised. Suitable for over 10s but enough laughs for me too. It pretty much did what it said on the tin as a family comedy. I like Melissa McCarthy and I'm a begrudging convert to James Cordon. It's kind of a romantic comedy but with the threat of total global annihilation to keep both sides happy. Entertaining, fun and some genuine laughs.
Feb 18, 2023
Thematic Analysis
As a science fiction narrative, Superintelligence explores potential technological and societal futures, raising important questions about humanity's place in the universe and our evolutionary trajectory. The film stands apart from other sci-fi works by presenting a vision that is both thought-provoking and visually distinctive.
Director Ben Falcone brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2020, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Superintelligence took approximately 4 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 106 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 163 minutes long.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 8 weeks before filming began.
- The musical score contains over 79 unique compositions.
Historical Context
- In 2020, when this film is released:
- The COVID-19 pandemic transformed global health, economics, and social interaction.
- Climate change mitigation had become a central policy concern internationally.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Superintelligence shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike WarGames, which focuses more on action than character development, Superintelligence offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Hellraiser: Bloodline and Virtuosity explore similar territory, Superintelligence stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: December 11, 2020
- Runtime: 1h 46m
