Genie

Genie is a Peacock movie and our first Christmas movie of 2023 counting down to the end of the year. The film tells the fairy tale story of Bernard (Nardo) Follows who is played by Paapa Essiedu. Nardo losses his job and his family because of his workaholic demanding boss played by Alan Cumming. Alan's character was very similar to Scrooge from Charles Dickens novel. Nardo down on his luck opens an old box and out pops a genie who is played by Melissa McCarthy, she also helped produce this movie. Unlike most genies this one had multiple wishes and she helps Nardo find his ways. I felt I was watching a Hallmark made for tv movie but with corny laughable jokes. This was a good family oriented movie but I wouldn't watch it again.

This is a Peacock Original movie, the Executive Producer is Melissa McCarthy. Fittingly she also is the star of the movie, playing the Genie named Flora. With that as background we should all be surprised if it turned out to be an excellent movie. It is also a remake of "Bernard and the Genie" from 1992, which has Alan Cumming as the Genie. He is in this movie as the uncaring boss.

Having just watched it I can say authoritatively "Genie is a very ordinary movie." But the real question, "Is it entertaining", and my wife and I were mostly entertained. It is the kind of movie that, if you never see it, you are fine.

It starts with Paapa Essiedu as Bernard, a family man with the inability to properly balance work life and family life. Like missing his young daughter's birthday party because his boss asks him to stay late. At home alone, after mom and daughter go visit grandma, he picks up an old, bejeweled box and rubs it. That is how he meets Flora.

Most of the movie covers somewhat unimaginative instances where Bernard uses Flora's magic to grant wishes. But in the end he decides that wealth and fancy wishes were less important than mending relationships. Many won't like the end when he fails to wish for riches untold but that is in essence the message of the movie. Who you are and how you treat others is more important than wealth.

This movie has an impressive cast of actors. If nothing else, it was fun to see who would pop up in which roles. The story is fairly predictable and offers very little surprises, but isn't that kind of the point? This is a good in-the-background, silly holiday movie. It won't keep your attention, but it certainly makes for a fun atmospheric movie to have on. I loved seeing the actress from The Golden Age in modern clothes! She's gorgeous either way. I'm not familiar with the main actor, but he has a good amount of charm and warmth that I'll look up where else I can watch him. The movie did the classic "how in the world do they afford that New York apartment???" but it's not a documentary so I think we can roll with it. Again, don't go in with super high expectations and I think you can find parts of this movie that are enjoyable. Happy Holiday!!!

I just love these reviewers that give movies like this a 1 or a 2 and say it's "unbelievable". Would they also give a Tom and Jerry cartoon a one because Jerry hits Tom over the head with a frying pan, and "Oh my gosh!! The cat didn't die! That's so ridiculous!!" C'mon folks, this movie is like a big cartoon, with human characters. You pretty much know where this movie is going by watching the preview. But so what. It's still loads of fun, and rated PG so you can watch it with your kids. Sorry all you serious film buffs. No naked women, no sex, no swear words, just a whole lot of fun and "fish out of water" type jokes. Melissa is a fun title character, and Paapa Essiedu is the perfect "straight man". Have yourself a nice, clean enjoyable evening watching this one.

Melissa works for her paycheck while the rest of the cast is beyond terrible.

Whoooo signed off on the actors of Bernard and Julie?! Why?!

This proves that the best actor doesn't always get the job. Flat. Flat. Beyond flat.

I'm all for supporting less than "star" names but these two dragged every scene down. What a shame.

Production value is good. Cinematography is solid. Music fits.

I can only fault casting as well as the director.

The heartfelt ending made it worth the watch- that'll I'll also thank Melissa for.

Give new, unknown actors jobs- please- based on talent.

We want that. We support that.