Super Pumped: Der Kampf um Uber

I see a lot of people comparing this to The Social Network & Wolf of Wall Street...you know, 2 of the best movies of the 21st century, directed by one of the best directors (Fincher/Scorsese) alive, written by one of the most accomplished screenwriters of our time (Sorkin/Winter), with one of the best scores/soundtracks (Reznor & Ross/standard Scorsese), and great actors in pretty much every role in the movie. Besides maybe Succession & Better Call Saul, what else currently on TV can even be mentioned in the same sentence as The Social Network or Wolf of Wall Street? I guess maybe Atlanta but even that isn't to the same level.

Super Pumped is a fun show about the pretty crazy story of Uber's genesis. I thought they were taking a lot of liberties with the story but besides JGL's portrayal of Travis, it shocked me how much of this actually happened, even scene for scene recreations of certain events. Unlike The Dropout & WeCrashed, which are slightly better shows, this one seems to be sticking to the facts a little more closely when it comes to plot.

I can see why this show isn't for everyone, it's not supposed to be some serious meditation on Kalanick or some cinematic masterpiece like TSN or an Oscar winner packed drama-comedy like WofWS...it's a very specific look at what things were like at Uber, testosterone fueled fast paced corrupt etc and the show reflects that. The pacing is excellent as is the analog synth score. There's a really great cast involved (JGL interestingly is probably the worst part since he's nothing like Kalanick but even he grew on me) and the show is undeniably fun. The show is narrated by an uncensored Quinten Tarantino which I think also tells you more than I could with further description. Those are actually some of my least fav parts of the show but they set the tone perfectly.

I would recommend this show for anyone who is interested in Uber's history and likes a fun fast paced show. This is by the "Billions" guys and the tone is exactly the same. Just like Billions once you get used to the style there's some great stuff in there. Who this isn't for is anyone looking for a more documentary take or even a serious dramatic take on Uber (although the irony is that this is more accurate than TSN or WofWS was by far) but rather a fun retelling of a wild story. I have pretty discerning taste when it comes to TV and I thoroughly enjoy watching this show so I would say at least give it a try...especially since the first episode was the least interesting imo.

This review will be in the minority here - and I get it. The characters in the show are over-the-top, one-dimensional and almost cartoon-like in the way they're portrayed.

So why the "10"? Because ... that's what it's really like with some founders and their corporate entourage / enablers. If you've lived through that experience, like many of us who've been involved in high-growth Silicon Valley startups, it's scary real.

There are brilliant founders out there with god-complexes and a reality-bubble surrounding them. It's like a distortion field. You get close enough and you start buying into the warped reality they have. The more successful company becomes - the stronger the bubble gets.

Anyway - while this won't be great viewing for everyone, to those who've lived through stuff like this, it can be captivating. To be on the outside and look into the crazy, fevered frenzy that sucks people in like a cult is quite an opportunity for reflection and learning.

So - that's why for me, it has to be a "10".

As Episode 1 of "Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber" (2022 release; 7 episodes of about 50 min each) opens, it is "2011" and we are introduced to Travis. Kalanick, who is trying to get UberCab off the ground. But he is struggling on many fronts, most of all money, as he needs venture capital investment in the worst way. Travis is introduced to Bill Gurley... At this point we are 10 min into the opening episode.

Couple of comments: this mini-series is the latest brainchild of Brian Koppelman and David Levien ("Billions"). Here they take a look at the rise of Uber and what role Travis Kalanick played in it. Having seen 2 episodes to date, I was pleasantly surprised and frankly entertained as a viewer. As it turns out, I knew very little about how Uber came about, and the obstacles it had to overcome along the way. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is cast perfectly as Travis Kalanick, who not surprisingly isn't the most pleasant person to be around. Kyle Chandler is equally up to the task as the venture capitalist Bill Gurley. Travis' mother is played by none other than Elizabeth Shue. Umma Thurman (playing Arianna Huffington) was not in the initial 2 episodes. The production set is tops. For some reason, the initial 2 episodes feature a bunch of Pearl Jam songs, for no apparent or obvious reason. Please note that "Super Pumped" has already been greenlighted for a second season, which will have nothing to do with Uber. But instead will look at Facebook. Can't wait for that.

Episode 1 of "Super Pumped: The Fight for Uber" premiered on February 27 on Showtime. New episodes air Sunday evenings. Once aired, episodes are available on SHO On Demand and SHO Anytime (where I caught it). If you have any interest in understanding the rise of Uber or what it takes to run a company like Uber, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.

UPDATE 4/11/22 I've now seen all episodes. I've upgraded my rating to 8 stars. Chilling yet absorbing mini-series that is must=watch, period.

I don't understand all the people moaning that this is like The Wolf of Wall Street. It isn't and even if it was, they're both about reckless entrepreneurs so what would the issue be? "Waaaah it's like the Social Network". Well they're both about tech startups, genius.

It's solidly acted. It's about things that happened, so again it's unclear why people are whining that it's "unrealistic"?

From the same guys that make the excellent Billions and you can see the stye and the tropes here as well as some of the same actors, which is no bad thing.

It's pacy and dynamic and moves along at quite a rate, doesn't outstay its welcome. Give it a shot.

"Super Pumped" (S01, 7 eps, 1-hr, Showtime) is an engaging docudrama of the rise and fall of Travis Kalanick and his Uber empire. You get to see him at his best and worst where the distance between those two is ever so slight. Whatever you think of him, his story as told here is pretty riveting. BTW, this story wraps with the season finale. I don't see how there's a second season unless it tells another's rise/fall.