I’ve criticized many independent films because I felt like the life and death stakes of their stories were not high enough to make a compelling tale. In the case of Superintelligence, the stakes are way too high to make it a believable story. While Carol is trying to get with George, this pair’s courtship is convoluted with a conspiracy sub-plot led by the President (Jean Smart) and two agents (Sam Richardson and Ben Falcone). They are assigned to help Carol figure out Superintelligence’s real plan.
I’m a huge fan of Melissa McCarthy, and I hope she does become the next Adam Sandler, striking a lucrative deal to make a s**tload of movies. But Superintelligence misses the mark in many ways. I already mentioned the unbelievable plot. Let me add the low laugh count. My favorite McCarthy movies are the ones where she plays herself, rather than over-the-top characters. I love Spy, St. Vincent, and even Ghostbusters. That regular version of herself is what she plays here.
“…I wish they cut out all the government conspiracy stuff and just kept the romance angle.”
The problem is the formula that worked before doesn’t work here. The jokes primarily consist of something weird happening somewhere and Carol commenting on it. There is a moment when she’s in a meeting, and everyone sits on beanbag chairs. Cue the physical comedy. Then add the running James Corden joke, which was funny the first time. We get it. James Corden is a nice guy (and he is).
In all honestly, I wish they cut out all the government conspiracy stuff and just kept the romance angle. As weird as this movie got, the chemistry between McCarthy and Cannavale is great. I could see an entire, more traditional rom-com starring the two of them. The conspiracy just got in the way and felt like it had to be there to make sense of the situation. I’ve seen a computer burned into the brain of a teenage Kurt Russell. This stuff doesn’t have to make sense.
Melissa McCarthy, keep making movies. As for Superintelligence? Well, they can’t all be winners.
"…the chemistry between McCarthy and Cannavale is great."
