Super Pumped season 1 episode 1 review: A flamboyant start to a series, made better by Joseph Gordon-Levitt's charisma

3/5

Story:

The series traces the origins of business giant, Uber, and the man who made it all happen, the company’s co-founder and former CEO, Travis Kalanick. The first episode focuses on the struggles that Kalanick had to undergo in the initial stages when his company was still a start-up named UberCab, including issues with funding and a tussle with the government transportation agency in the city. And amidst it all, Kalanick’s charisma, ingenuity and infectious positivity shine through.

Review:

From its very first episode, Super Pumped seems to lay it all on the table when it comes to the kind of tone audiences can expect from the series. Although based on a true story, it does not in any way shy away from telling the story of one of the biggest global businesses in the world with a level of flash that though alluring, can at times, come off as exhausting, if they do not rein in when needed.

The first episode introduced us to Travis Kalanick, the co-founder and former CEO of Uber, who at present, has raked up more than a few controversies to his name which the series promises to explore in later episodes. But as the series starts off, we are introduced to an ambitious, driven young entrepreneur who is coming off of a failed business venture. But he does not let his previous failure get in the way of building his vision with his new company, named UberCab. His attitude towards business, and life, is exuberant, to say the least. He is portrayed as an intelligent, confident, go-getter who is not afraid to speak his mind and take risks no matter who, or what he is up against.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt does a stellar job at essaying the role of the high-spirited character, fully making use of the several sequences the episode provides him to flaunt his acting skills. His flawless delivery of certain lines seems to have the power to turn believers out of even the hardest skeptics, and Levitt’s casting is not the only one to be appreciated. Kyle Chandler also holds his own as the suave, yet kind venture capitalist, Bill Gurley who gives UberCabs the leg-up, the need to launch their venture. Chandler does not let himself be overshadowed by Levitt’s charisma and the two’s chemistry in their scenes together is a joy to behold.

The way the story is executed, in the first episode at least, does seem to suffer pitfalls along the way, though they are less of the ‘in-your-face’ kind. The writers seem to have gone out of their way to depict Kalanick as some sort of messiah of the Silicon Valley, too idealistic and with more than a few flashy lines to support it. Perhaps, it was a conscious decision on their part, so as to make the businessman’s fall from grace feel all the more impactful, but it does get tiring at times when the man’s idealistic positivity doesn’t have an ‘off’ button. The story moves far too easy for one that is set in reality, and sometimes so far that it gives the impression that all you need to get ahead in the dog-eat-dog world of business is a little gumption.

Verdict:

The first episode of Super Pumped could have reined in some of the grandiosity when it comes to its story, but nonetheless puts up a strong start for a drama series. It also has some incredible performances by its main cast.

The first episode of Super Pumped is available on Voot Select.