Jobs

In the prologue to this cinematic biography, we see an older, gray-bearded Steve Jobs (Ashton Kutcher) unveiling the first iPod in 2001. Jobs then flashes back to the 1970s, when geeky drug-taking hippie Jobs dropped out of Reed College in Oregon and began working with Steve Wozniak (Josh Gad) in his parents' basement, ultimately creating the first home computer. But then came the challenge of developing the PC and creating a profitable business. The central narrative tracks the arrogant, perfectionist Jobs' rise and fall at Apple, but never comes back to the 21st century—ignoring the invention of the iPhone and iPad and Jobs' 2011 death from pancreatic cancer. First-time screenwriter Matt Whiteley confuses the history of Apple Computer (now Apple Inc.) with the life of the controversial, visionary entrepreneur who changed the concept of consumer electronics—offering no insights into Jobs' obviously conflicted psyche, never delving into what made him tick, or why he bullied people, publicly berated employees, cheated friends, dumped his pregnant girlfriend, and denied paternity (despite tests proving otherwise). Director Joshua Michael Stern does a barely serviceable job here, although Kutcher did his impersonation homework, replicating Jobs' facial expressions, gestures, and hunched-forward walk. Those interested in Jobs would be much better off reading Walter Isaacson's fine biography Steve Jobs than watching this superficial biopic that fails to get to the core of the famed Apple CEO. Optional, at best. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Joshua Michael Stern, deleted scenes (4 min.), a score featurette with composer John Debney (4 min.), “The Legacy of Steve Jobs” cast reflections (3 min.), a segment on star Ashton Kutcher (3 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are bonus DVD, digital, and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a decent extras package for a disappointing bio-pic.] (S. Granger)