BlackBerry (2023) User Reviews

A thoroughly enjoyable film.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 9 October 2023]

The rise and fall of Blackberry, the world's first smartphone, it's journey from initial conception, to funding, all the way through to its tragic collapse.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film, it's one I would suggest that has a universal appeal, one many will enjoy, fascinating to think this is where it all started, everything about our phones that we now take for granted.

What a fascinating story this is, I'm sure many of us had a blackberry back in the day, I certainly did, it was such a reliable device, it was a game changer, until iPhone that is.

It's an intriguing story, with several jaw dropping moments, including the way Jim made his initial impact, then went on and assembled such an incredible work force.

A few funny moments, and some very sad scenes too, sewing Mike desperately trying to put something together to compete with Apple was quite tragic, after doing all of the ground work, the tide literally turned overnight.

Glenn Howerton gives a show stealing performance as Jim, he's angry, he's short tempered, he wants things done yesterday, he's a high powered, highly motivated executive, dealing with a team who live life to the chill, what a strong performance, that scene where Jim realises that the game is up, fantastic.

The whole cast are excellent, Jay Baruchel and Matt Johnson were both great. Seeing Mike change over time, that was skilfully done.

I was surprised by how good this was.

8/10.

rise and fall of crackberry

[ferguson-6 · 8/10 · 11 May 2023]

Greetings again from the darkness. There aren't too many companies who have reached the pinnacle of their industry, only to later flop due to lack of innovation or a stubborn insistence on holding on to the past. Tremendous success and absolute failure are not typically associated with the same company. Blockbuster Video and Pan Am Airlines come to mind as examples of industry leaders whose refusal to adapt, culminated with closure, and it's likely that Blackberry belongs in the category, at least as presented here by writer-director Matt Johnson and co-writer Matthew Miller, adapting the book by Jacquie McNish.

Socially awkward pals, Mike Lazaridis (played by Jay Baruchel) and Doug Fregin (played by the film's director Matt Johnson), co-founded Research in Motion (RIM). The film picks up in 1996 when Mike and Doug are making their first presentation of their breakthrough handheld data delivery-email machine, which they have named Pocket Link. These are two genius nerds with no concept of how the outside business worlds functions, and the executive to whom they are pitching is so distracted that his only feedback is, "You need a new name." In a fascinating twist, that same executive, Jim Balsillie (Glenn Howerton, "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia") ends up saving not just the new product, but also the company.

Balsillie presents himself as a fireball, take charge, full-steam-ahead kind of guy. It's quite a contrast to nerdy Mike and easy-going Doug. Mike is a quiet guy committed to perfection in his work, while Doug wrangles the tech developers with a culture of video games, movie night, and an overall fraternity environment. Balsillie's arrival as a vocal outrage expert and brash businessman changes everything, and he and Mike drive the newly named BlackBerry to levels not previously seen. We do get a humorous anecdote from a shirt stain (even though it's not a true story), and in fact, there is quite a bit of humor throughout.

We are informed that the film was "inspired by real people and real events", so some dramatic license is expected. Perhaps the best comparison is THE SOCIAL NETWORK (2010), and while that film was more polished, I personally found this one more entertaining and accurate from a business sense. An excellent supporting cast includes Cary Elwes, Saul Rubinek, Michael Ironside, Martin Donovan, Rich Sommer, and SungWon Cho, and the film's real draw is the contrast between Jay Baruchel's mousy but brilliant Mike, and Glenn Howard's powerhouse portrayal of the egotistical Balsillie. Baruchel's scene where he reacts to the new iPhone is alone worth the price of admission.

At its peak, BlackBerry had 45% market share and had earned it's "CrackBerry" label in the business world. Apple's 2007 introduction of the iPhone not only rocked the BlackBerry company, it shook up the world. The Canada perspective is noted (RIM was based in Waterloo, Ontario), as is Mike's aversion to 'made in China', perhaps the ultimate reason for the fall. It's likely that BlackBerry has become a Case Study in Business Schools, although the fast-paced and pressure-packed world of tech continues to require a balance of decisions focused on current markets and never-ending innovation for the future.

Opens on May 12, 2023.

It's funny until it's not.

[steiner-sam · 8/10 · 12 May 2023]

It's a Canadian comedy-drama techno-history set from 1996 to 2008 in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. It is a fictional story inspired by the rise and fall of Research in Motion (RIM), the company that created Blackberry, the initial smartphone.

The film first introduces us to Jim Balsillie (Glenn Howerton) as a profane hard-driving executive at Sutherland-Schultz who meets Mike Lazaridis (Jay Baruchel) and Douglas Fregin (Matt Johnson), two awkward techies trying to sell a new product called a smartphone. Lazaridis is the CEO of a startup that employs stereotyped engineers who easily mix work and play.

After a deal in the U. S. for their modem falls through, and Sutherland-Schultz fires Jim Balsillie for insubordination, Balsillie remembers RIM's project and offers to provide administrative and sales leadership for a piece of the company and serve as co-CEO. They make a deal. "Blackberry" then follows the crises and inspirations that see the Blackberry become wildly successful through Balsillie's salesmanship and Lazaridis's engineering genius. The sudden fall of RIM happens when Apple invades the market, Balsillie gets distracted by efforts to buy an NHL team, and RIM's hiring practices come under legal scrutiny.

"Blackberry" has the feel of a low-budget arthouse film. It's funny until it's not. Balsillie and Lazaridis agree early on not to lie to each other. Their relationship works great while Balsillie brazens his way to tremendous success and Lazaridis gains more polish. Unfortunately, the company collapses when the lying and avoidance begin, and Lazaridis's commitment to perfection ebbs as competition mounts. Of course, since "Blackberry" is fictional, it's hard to say how many personal characterizations in the film are accurate, though the story's arc follows historical events. People in Kitchener-Waterloo will be fascinated by the story but will note that it omits the generosity of both the Lazaridis and Balsillie families to the local community.

Howerton and Baruchel are excellent in their roles; Johnson seems a stereotype. The evil American entrepreneurs also seem a bit stereotyped.

A cautionary tale for tech companies

[TheBigSick · 17 May 2023]

BlackBerry is a 2023 film that tells the story of the rise and fall of the BlackBerry smartphone. The film is funny, heartwarming, and ultimately tragic.

The film is funny because it captures the quirks and eccentricities of the people who made BlackBerry a success. Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie are two brilliant but irritable men who are determined to make their company a success. They are constantly bickering and arguing.

The film is also heartwarming because it shows the passion and dedication of the people who worked at BlackBerry. They were all committed to making the best possible product, and they were willing to work long hours and make sacrifices to achieve their goals.

However, the film is ultimately tragic because it shows how BlackBerry was unable to adapt to the changing marketplace. The company was slow to innovate, and it was eventually overtaken by Apple and Samsung.

Despite its tragic ending, BlackBerry is a well-made film that is sure to entertain and enlighten audiences. The film is funny, heartwarming, and thought-provoking. It is a must-see for anyone who is interested in the history of technology or the human condition.

Doug is the real winner in BlackBerry because he is the only one who is able to see the writing on the wall. He knows that BlackBerry is in trouble, and he tries to warn Mike and Jim. However, they are too blinded by their own success to listen. Doug is eventually forced to leave the company, but he is able to start his own successful business.

BlackBerry is a cautionary tale about the dangers of hubris. It is a reminder that even the most successful companies can fall from grace if they are not willing to adapt to change.

Fast Paced Darkish Comedy

[zack_gideon · 7/10 · 3 June 2023]

It's a dark comedy of sorts. Not fully dark, but well done all around. Casting was great, especially Glen Howerton as the maniac CEO. Plays the part well, couldn't help but laugh at certain scenes because he's just like angry Dennis from Always Sunny.

It's a cool story too, about the rise and epic fall of the CrackBerry. If you're a bit older you'll remember well when the iPhone came out and destroyed the entire industry. I didn't know some of the things that happen besides that, so learned something too.

Overall it's a fast paced, fun little ride. It's a little too long and there's some poor character acting from the "geek coders", that's overwrought, but doesn't really impact the overall film. I already recommended to my buddy. 6.7/10.

Great docufilm.

[Top_Dawg_Critic · 8/10 · 3 June 2023]

Aside from the constant annoying fast zoom-ins and shaky cam "The Office" style filming - which I can't stand, this was one heck of an enjoyable film. The two hour runtime flew by with the excellent pacing and the smooth cohesive and well-written screenplay. Jay Baruchel nailed his character with an all around great performance, as did Glenn Howerton. For that matter, all casting and performances were spot on, as was the cinematography and score. The story was mind-blowing, even if you never owned a BlackBerry, just to see a slice of Steve Jobs as the Canadian version of a small start-up becoming a world dominating tech empire, and that empire's fall from grace.

Interesting but dizzying

[chong_an · 6/10 · 13 May 2023]

This is the story of the rise and (the beginning of) the fall of Research in Motion, maker of the Blackberry. It shows the hothouse atmosphere of technology sales, by co-CEO Jim Balsille, who took over the business end, and sold machine that did not yet exist. It also shows the equally busy atmosphere of the developers, like lead developer and co-CEO Mike Lazaridis, and various other young folks, many of whom tended to give off a frat boy vibe.

It was informative, and I hope mostly true overall. The actors were believable in their roles. The hubris of dismissing the iphone, the distraction of Balisille chasing an NHL franchise, and the false economy of contracting out manufacturing all contributed to the demise of the company.

However, I got dizzy. Maybe the director wanted to emphasize the chaos, by having the camera repeatedly pan quickly left or right, to create a sense of motion,, but that did not sit well with me. So you are warned.

There's a Lesson Here

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 21 December 2023]

I really enjoyed this film even if it lacks veracity according to some viewers. I don't know what happened specifically as the new century began, but I do know that my friend Phil stopped using a pencil to take notes. Instead, out came the stylus and his Blackberry. They were everywhere and I felt like a neanderthal because I didn't have one. The portrayal of Nerd Central was quite funny and I got a kick out of their childish behavior. At first it was rather distracting. Then we got to see what amazing technicians they were. But they were eventually victimized by the lack of vision of their bosses. Also, money really talks and the competition is roiling around them the whole time and they aren't cognizant of some of it. This is a sleeper and well worth the time.

Like a History Channel Documentary - Watch on TV

[dan_slentz · 6/10 · 29 May 2023]

Reel Tunez, The Radio Show All About the Movies review (5/29/23): "Blackberry"

If you like historic movies about technology.. movies that feel like a documentary or History Channel movie... then this is for you.

This is the true story of the meteoric rise and catastrophic demise of the world's first smartphone. At one time, 45% of the smart phones in use where Blackberry.. and now is about 0%.

Either the people at this company were the biggest nerds ever.. and goofballs.. or the movie was highly exaggerated. Lead actors were Jay Baruchel, Glenn Howerto, & Matt Johnson (who really, in my opinion, was cartoonish in his acting). It was fun to see Cary Elwes in this as well. You remember him from "The Princess Bride" as Westley.

Visually, this movie is fine on a TV screen at home as it lacks "big screen appeal". Audio is fine on a home TV or stereo (as even that doesn't merit the quality of Dolby Theater sound).

A dry movie that could be "tightened up" with better editing (some scenes were "beating the dead horse" over and over and dredged on. On a 1 to 10 scale with 10 being the best, I'd give it about a 5.5. I consider anything over a 5 having some merit to see.. and less that 5 is a waste of time. In my opinion the reviews are greatly over-rating this movie. When people rate something like this a 9 or 10, you really wonder what a REAL classic movie would rate??

The Golden Gods rage knows no bounds!

[kamron_croucher · 8/10 · 7 June 2023]

Watching these movies about the crazy cutthroat businesses of the 80s and 90s is very entertaining. This movie was great, well acted, fast paced and fun throughout. I myself grew up during the time of the Blackberry but didn't know anything about their story, so this was a fascinating look into how crazy the tech world was at the time.

The real gem of the entire movie though was the Golden God himself, Glen Howerton. I've been a fan of Always Sunmy and I'm always interested in what the cast does outside of that show. I havnt seen Glen in a serious role yet but he delivered. In Always Sunny Glen plays a sociopath who is constantly getting angry, you could tell that in Blackberry he was able to use that for his character. Glen was by far the best part of this movie, funny and intimidating all at the same time.

Entertaining but inaccurate

[flingebunt · 6/10 · 6 June 2023]

Once upon a time Blackberry dominated the business phone market, especially in the US, while Motorola dominated the personal phone market, and Nokia the international market. Along came the iPhone and pushed them off the, with none of these companies adapting well to the introduction of the iPhone given that it was only projected to take 5% of worldwide phone sales initially and many people questioned that it would do that.

But this movie doesn't tell this story. Instead it crams complex engineering and corporate development stories into little vignettes, ignores the many much more popular options to the iPhone, acts like everyone knew the iPhone was going to overtake the the world. Then ultimately fails to tell the story of the inability to adapt. In fact Nokia had been providing phones with Internet and downloadable apps years before the iPhone, but only the Japanese were really smart enough to do that.

But what they fail to tell us about the failure to adapt is that it impacted on everyone. For Blackberry, they would have had to redevelop their product from scratch and it was too inflexible. While Nokia failed to adapt from management, Blackberry just wasn't able to adapt. Even trying to move their secure email platform from hardware to software so it could become an iPhone app proved impossible.

It is okay, this movie is entertaining enough, though starts off slow, fails to introduce or build the key characters at the beginning, and the ending is too forced.

Could have been a good series or a better shorter movie. Especially given the camera style and content, it is not worth seeing in the movie theatre.

One Hell of a Story

[kjproulx · 10/10 · 12 May 2023]

Films about the making of a product can either be interesting or dull. In my opinion, there's not a lot of room in between because it was either a good story or not. In the case of Blackberry, I was obviously aware of the phone but never knew the behind-the-scenes stuff. I'm also slightly biased being a Canadian, with this film taking place very close to where I'm from, so if that makes you take this review with a grain of salt, so be it. I absolutely loved it from start to finish and here's why.

Blackberry tells the story of Mike Lazaridis (Jay Baruchel) and his genius mind that creates the world's first smartphone, the Blackberry.

Jim Balsillie (Glenn Howerton) steps in and buys his way into being the Co-CEO of the company in order to sell the phone. Balsillie is determined to shoot for the moon and nothing else, which in turn may or may not hurt the company overall. If you know the story, you know what I mean, but I won't ruin it. My favourite thing about watching this film though was the fact that I didn't know half of what went down in real life. This was a riveting and engaging lesson of school that I felt like a sat through.

Adapted from the novel by Matthew Miller and Matt Johnson (who also did a fantastic job directing this film), the dialogue here was stellar. I was glued to the screen, even when two characters were just sitting in a room and talking. I'm not saying this film is as great as The Social Network, but the story itself is in my opinion. It's a fascinating tale of the dog-eat-dog world that we live in. On top of the fantastic dialogue, Baruchel and Howerton sell these roles and probably each delivers the performances of their careers (especially Howerton).

From the editing style that genuinely impressed me to the great direction, performances, and even music choices, Blackberry is a film that I have little to no complaints about. The camera work with all the snap zooms annoyed me a bit, but that's really all I can nitpick. I also give it props for being a Canadian film, made by Canadians, starring some Canadian actors. I would also be remiss if I didn't mention the fact that while the story is very interesting, it's also funny when it needs to be. It almost becomes a satire at times and I loved it even more for that. It took the story seriously, but not exactly the movie around it, which worked so well. If you can't tell, I'll be gushing about this one for a while. I highly recommend checking out Blackberry, now playing in theatres.

The Grape of Wrath...

[Xstal · 7/10 · 2 June 2023]

There's a rather angry man by name of Jim, expecting others to dance to, his latest whim, can get quite shouty if confronted, he'll ensure you are affronted, has a fury that can't be contained by rim. But he's managed to create a new black gold, taking gullible and naïve to a mould, casting out a new tech giant, though it's not quite all compliant, the board of keys has broken ground, and taken hold. Alas like all technology there is a trend, and in this case it's closely linked to a u-bend, as the stock goes down the pan, the innovation had no plan, to evolve and to compete, as Jobs transcends.

It's worth a watch, and may get you thinking of all those brands of the past that now reside in the graveyard of complacent, missed opportunity.

Cinematic mediocrity

[jake_fantom · 5/10 · 3 June 2023]

Despite all the rave reviews, for me this film was mediocre at best. The characters were one-dimensional, the actors did a lot of scenery chewing without generating much interest in the story, the script was facile and superficial, the camera work was typical of low-budget productions with lots of protracted jerky hand-held shots. Ultimately, I found it difficult to empathize with any of the characters (I could never get past the thought that I was watching actors), and eventually I lost interest in the outcome altogether. Which is a shame actually, because there is a fascinating story buried in this misfire. Better attention to the script and casting, and better production values, might have helped. But I think this is one instance where a well-made documentary, with interviews, archival footage, etc. Might be a better way to tell the story.

Very interesting and largely true. Great tech and business warning. Over-acting TV movie though.

[ChetXBuck · 15 January 2024]

We liked this film a lot. It is a very interesting story that helps remind us about the creation of the smart phone and the battles for the best product, network speed, interface and the bitter battles that ensued. If you are involved in marketing, technology, sales or business--you may see a lot of truth here and a few big warnings about how humans get in the way of themselves and the right decisions. I liked the film and learned a lot from its narrative and warnings of business decision-making, personal egos, management styles, and all the things you can do wrong (or right.) The iPhone crushed BlackBerry--BUT they crushed themselves in how they responded to Apple. The movie helps you realize how amazing Apple is in our world. OK. Here are a few notes for folks who watched the film AND hopefully a few folks who made the film. The acting is good, but a bit TOO much like a Hallmark (or any TV movie). The corporate executive, Jim is so mean, negative and ego-centric that you almost lose any interest in him. I know people like him, but they really painted him too thin and angry to believe. He's a cartoonishly corporate. Always in a suit and trying to get ahead by being a mean person--but we never know why or who he really is. Then, there is Mike, the brains of RIM. He's interesting too and rather believable. I know people like him, but again, the writer and director failed to give us a "why" about Mike. His transition during the film is interesting and his character is the center of the lesson here. His friend, Doug is very funny. The last complaint is that the filming is WAY too much like the Office. Jumpy camera angles do not make it feel real, just cheap. Sorry director. 8/10 is pretty good for a semi-bio flick about technology. Worth a watch--but the writer and director missed the mark on making this a 9 or a 10, which it could have been.

Blackberry

[CinemaSerf · 7/10 · 19 October 2023]

Matt Johnson's rather John McEnroe-esque "Doug" rather stole this tale of what was literally a tech-tonic shift in how we used our mobile phones. He, together with his boss Mike (Jay Baruchel), has been working with a small team of geeks to develop a mobile word processor that can send messages by text and email. It's funding they lack and it's during a fairly flawed presentation that they encounter "Jim" (Glenn Howerton), a savvy operator who knows just enough about the business to get them that elusive big deal. Thing is, they don't think they have the processing capacity to service this ever increasing share of the market even if their new pal is generating eye-watering business opportunities. A 46% market share of what became the exponentially burgeoning smartphone market offered them real potential to dominate for years - but history tells us just what did happen. This film benefits from not really having a big star at the helm. The three men juggle the pressures, successes and failures delivering a solid and at times quite funny story of the rise and falls of a company that, when faced with difficulties, resorted to an emergency movie night! It doesn't shy away from depicting some of the sharper practices at play in this supremely competitive business, but it delivers in a far less aggressive fashion. Maybe it's a Canadian thing, but I found myself actually wanting them to succeed (even if I actually ended up loathing my own "Crackberry"). So many of these true stories are based on characters seeking easy money - this is based on a pair of guys who actually made something; and something that set a benchmark for kit we all use across the world without a second thought nowadays. Enjoyable to watch and worth two hours of your time.

Entertaining, fun docudrama

[jgm_09 · 8/10 · 20 April 2023]

Without knowing the history of Blackberry, outside its spectacular crash, I found this movie very entertaining and informative. It's not a documentary, so everything needs to be taken with the proverbial grain of salt. That being said, there were many parts of the Blackberry story, including Research in Motions technical innovations that predated the iPhone by almost a decade.

Jay Barucshel and Matthew Johnson were both wonderful in a corporate Ying-and-Yang relationship, though Johnson steals the show with his irreverence and comedy. Glenn Howerton was a bit disarming as corporate tough guy Jim Balsille. Together, the three drive the story from its lowest points to its dizzying heights.

Overall a fun entertaining picture, that may not be completely accurate, but for those who don't know the details, it won't detract from the story.

Tech history with a cartoonish twist

[gbill-74877 · 7/10 · 2 March 2024]

A very entertaining account of the rise and fall of the BlackBerry line of mobile phones over 1996-2007, at its best when it highlights the inevitable rub between engineering and management, and the need for each to make a successful company. I really enjoyed the story despite being triggered at times, and thought the performances and storytelling were excellent. The casting was a highlight even in the smaller roles of the engineers, who certainly had the requisite look and feel of a nerdy engineering team with an informal culture in this period.

However, I couldn't help but be troubled by the significant distortion of the characters of the three men at the heart of the story - Mike Lazaridis, Doug Fregin, and Jim Balsillie - each of whom were turned into cartoon characters for entertainment value (and I say that despite having loved Glenn Howerton here). It's just a movie, not a documentary, but I think Matt Johnson went too far, as much as I admired some of the other things he did. I also thought the digs at Chinese manufacturing were lazy and a tad xenophobic, conveniently overlooking the myriad other companies successfully making such an arrangement work (ironically, such as Apple), and not considering RIM's own culpability in why they had failures at the end.

Overall, if seeing this little bit of pre-iPhone history is of interest, and if the overly amplified characterizations don't bother you, then you'll probably like this film.

In depth story about why Blackberry collapsed

[arabnikita · 8/10 · 14 June 2023]

Blackberry (2023)

I remember the days when everyone in school was using Blackberries with the cool keyboards and their BBM service. The company was ruling the market and no one could have imagined that one day not only will they lose its leadership position, but it will cease to exist altogether. The general consensus is that Blackberry became obsolete because the company failed to catch up to the smartphones and evolve in a correct way. This film tells a more complete version of the story in terms of what happened behind closed doors and the reason why everything came crashing down.

The movie begins in the 90s with a Canadian company named Research in Motion trying to reinvent the mobile phone business. Their two leaders Mike and Doug have a bright vision and the scientific know-how but lack the business acumen to make their idea a reality. During one of their pitches, a man named Jim gets intrigued by their idea and decides to come on board and help get the company off the ground. As the movie progresses, we get to see both the human and the business elements of the story and how closely they come together to both build Blackberry and destroy it.

This is clearly a low budget movie but it never feels second rate because of the clean and efficient way in which it tells this large story. The actors and director are rather unknown and because of that, more focus is put towards the narrative and its execution. With that being said, everyone involved puts in the effort to bring drama, humor and tension to their roles. The quick, sharp and witty nature makes it feel like a mix between Social Network and Succession as the film doesn't waste a single minute and ends when it's supposed to. Blackberry might be gone but hopefully this film will shed some light and teach a couple of lessons to those who watch it.

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Strong Performances lost to Confusing Storytelling

[mthomas381 · 6/10 · 29 December 2023]

"BlackBerry," starring Glenn Howerton and Jay Baruchel, is a compelling portrayal of a tech giant's rise and struggles. Howerton and Baruchel excel in their roles, bringing a remarkable depth and realism to their characters. Their acting stands as a highlight in a film marred by a slow pace and a narrative that can often be confusing.

The film's treatment of crucial plot points feels rushed, glossing over significant events and leaving the audience wanting more. Particularly, it misses the opportunity to delve deeply into the seismic shift caused by the iPhone's emergence, a pivotal moment in tech history that deserved more attention.

Moreover, an intriguing subplot, which is only briefly touched upon, is Jim Balsillie's audacious but ultimately failed attempt to purchase the Pittsburgh Penguins. This episode alone could have been a riveting storyline, deserving of its own cinematic exploration. It's a missed opportunity that could have added an exciting dimension to the film.

In summary, "BlackBerry" earns a 6 out of 10. It's a film with exceptional acting and a fascinating subject but falls short in pacing and narrative clarity, and it doesn't fully capture the dramatic impact of its real-life events.

Best of the Three 1980s Pop Culture Movies

[evanston_dad · 9/10 · 13 June 2023]

There happen to be three movies out right now telling the story behind a piece of 1980s pop culture. "Air" is about the founding of the Air Jordan brand at Nike; "Tetris" is about the battle over licensing for one of the most famous games in history; and "Blackberry" is about the mega-success and eventual obsoletion of a piece of technology that was undermined by Apple.

Of the three, "Blackberry" is the best. Sharp writing and direction from Matt Johnson, who also happens to turn in a terrific performance as the moral conscience of the company behind the famous hand-held device, turns this movie into a juicy and intensely entertaining story about corporate ego and competing visions. Jay Baruchel and Glenn Howerton also give outstanding performances, and the whole thing makes for one of the most entertaining movies I've seen yet this year.

And even though I've been using an iPhone for years, nothing has made me appreciate the brilliance of Steve Jobs' invention as much as this movie, which shows why it absolutely blew the Blackberry out of the water.

Grade: A.

A Perfectly Ok Film That Goes Through The Motions

[callumfaulkner · 6/10 · 20 May 2023]

Hollywood, bereft of any originality, is scraping the barrel of semi-interesting "nostalgia" products/ fads to use to churn a halfhearted film out, see Tetris, Air, Dungeons and Dragons, etc.

Technically there is nothing too wrong with this film. Things happen, there's some jokes, and it tells a story. However, the whole affair feels soulless. There's nothing new here - unruly nerds out of water in a corporate world; some corporate backstabbing etc. Etc.

This is a generic film that has likely been made because something had to be. You'll watch it, be mildly entertained, and then forget about it for the rest of your life.

Can biographies be fast-paced? Here's the answer! [+77%]

[arungeorge13 · 8/10 · 4 June 2023]

Between this, Air, and Tetris, I think this one takes the cake. The central performances (Jay Baruchel & Glenn Howerton) are fantastic, and both manage to captivate us with their distinct mannerisms and quirks. The story itself is very compellingly told, with details covered from multiple angles, including business, tech, marketing, employee relations, and more. There's no question that Hollywood loves discussing corporate wins and losses (well, mostly wins) and BlackBerry is certainly among the finest I've seen. Howerton (playing Jim Balsillie) is at his best when he loses his cool, throwing temper tantrums at almost everyone, including contemporaries, executives, and even private jet pilots. The rise and fall of BlackBerry was always going to be an exciting story, and director Matt Johnson does an excellent job with the material in hand.

Disappointing

[abbeo · 6/10 · 3 June 2023]

Due to the high rating, I expecting a much better film. I would have given BlackBerry less than 6 if it wasn't such a good story to begin with. Poorly executed by mostly the director. The acting is pretty substandard as well by the three leads. Too bad this wasn't placed in more competent hands. I actually can't believe all the high ratings for this film. Ratings that exceed two recent films I've watched, Tetris and Air. Far superior films. BlackBerry feels like a mess compared to the seamless way these two films are told. I wouldn't waste my money seeing this in the theatre. I'd wait for the remake.

Nothing "docu" about this drama

[zpvqbpz · 5/10 · 24 May 2023]

This movie might have worked if it isn't on BlackBerry, or centred around the people central to the company.

But it was, and it's a fictionalization of an alternate universe of what happened to BlackBerry.

Mike Lazaridis is not a meek, push over of a computer geek if you've ever interacted with him.

The Storm wasn't a dumpster fire because it was made in China - that didn't even happen until two more CEOs down the line. It was a dumpster fire because it was a rushed product.

It's far too distracting to actually try and enjoy the movie. And only people who have never been there praises this BlackBerry Storm of a movie as if it was a docudrama or anything resembling a "fictionalization" of what happened.