If you're looking for a light, fun and kind of ridiculous rom-com to lead you into 2021, then look no further than Superintelligence.
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The latest big screen outing for funnywoman Melissa McCarthy (who's currently enjoying her time Down Under shooting a Nicole Kidman series in Byron Bay) is just the tonic for a terrible year.
McCarthy stars as Carol, a bright but between-jobs Seattle resident who wants to make a difference in the world.
A computer system which has gained intelligence targets Carol as its ultimate example of the average human and wants to (digitally) follow her for three days to decide whether it should save, enslave or destroy humanity.
And this superintelligence? It speaks with the voice of none other than James Corden, Carol's favourite celebrity.
The AI asks Carol what she would do if she only had three days left to live, and she decides she would make things right with her ex, George (Bobby Cannavale).
From here, the film which was shaping up to be a sort of sci-fi comedy really settles into the rom-com formula, and it works.
From meet cutes and insides jokes to makeover montages and impromptu dancing, director Ben Falcone (McCarthy's real-life husband and frequent collaborator) crafts a charming, lovable relationship that's easy to get behind.
The tech-related hijinks are really secondary to the story of Carol and George, and the film is best when it focuses on its leads.
That said, the supporting cast is great, from Corden to Falcone, Brian Tyree Henry and Jean Smart, Superintelligence has lots of funny stars.
There's the hint of a bigger message about being less selfish and acting in the best interests of the many, not the few, and in a different movie the inherent benefits and dangers of a tech-focussed society could have been explored more.
But this is not a different movie - this is Superintelligence, and it's fun and fine just as it is.
Good for a few easy laughs and a wholesome, unproblematic couple to ship.
