Film Review: Jack Neo's I Want To Be Boss AI-拼才会赢(2025) - Singapore
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (5/10)
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Another Chinese New Year, another Jack Neo film. For many of Singaporeans, it’s become a yearly tradition to anticipate his cinematic contributions during this festive season, much like looking forward to reunion dinners and those cherished ang baos. With a legacy of films like “Ah Boys to Men” and “The Lion Men”, Neo has established himself as a maestro of local Singaporean humor intertwined with relatable family dynamics and subtle social commentary. His latest offering, “I Want To Be Boss”, promised a fresh take as it delves into contemporary themes of artificial intelligence, ambition, and familial relationships. However, despite its potential, the film ultimately falls short of expectations.
From the outset, “I Want To Be Boss” sets the stage for a narrative that could resonate with modern audiences. The story follows Dongnan (Henry Thia), a struggling restaurateur who, in his quest for success, enlists the help of Food Critic Queen (Dawn Yeoh) and his friend Qiang (Jack Neo himself). As his business begins to flourish, he acquires an AI robot named Ling Ling (Patricia Mok) to alleviate his domestic troubles. The premise holds promise; a blend of humor, technology, and heart could provide a compelling reflection on our increasingly AI-driven world.
Yet, as the film unfolds, it becomes painfully clear that Neo’s examination of AI is lackluster at best. In a time when technology is advancing at breakneck speed, the film’s portrayal of humanoid robots feels stale and uninspired. The comedic potential of an AI robot navigating human emotions and misunderstandings is largely squandered, with Ling Ling’s character offering little more than clichéd gags that fail to elicit genuine laughter. Instead of a nuanced exploration of human-AI relationships, we are presented with predictable tropes that detract from the film’s overall impact.
The narrative arc is riddled with familiar conflict: betrayal from an apprentice, the wife’s suspicions, and the ensuing chaos that threatens Dongnan’s personal and professional life. While these elements could serve as a platform for deep emotional resonance and character development, they are instead treated as mere plot devices. Dongnan’s struggles feel superficial, lacking the complexity that could engage viewers on a deeper level. The film’s conflicts, while relatable, often come across as contrived and formulaic, diminishing the stakes and emotional weight of the story.
Despite the film’s shortcomings, there are moments that shine through the haze of mediocrity. The ensemble cast, featuring local Singaporean celebrities like Aileen Tan, Shawn Thia, and Jae Liew, brings an undeniable charm and charisma to their roles. Their performances often elevate the material, and there are glimpses of genuine humor and warmth that remind us of Neo’s ability to connect with audiences. However, these moments are fleeting and do not compensate for the overall lack of coherence in the screenplay.
One of the film’s missed opportunities lies in its potential for social commentary. Jack Neo has often used his films to reflect on societal issues, and “I Want To Be Boss” could have explored the implications of AI in our daily lives—both the opportunities and the pitfalls. Instead, the film leans heavily on surface-level jokes and forgettable one-liners, failing to engage with the larger questions that AI poses in our society. This lack of depth leaves the audience feeling unfulfilled, as the film’s themes are neither fully developed nor thoughtfully examined.
Visually, the film offers a polished aesthetic, thanks to competent cinematography and production design. The bustling restaurant scenes capture a lively atmosphere that is emblematic of the festive spirit. However, visual appeal alone cannot mask the narrative’s deficiencies. The film’s pacing also falters, with certain scenes dragging on too long and others feeling rushed, contributing to an overall disjointed experience.
In the end, “I Want To Be Boss” is a film that had the potential to be a thought-provoking exploration of ambition and technology but ultimately falls flat. While there are moments of levity and glimpses of the charm that fans have come to expect from Jack Neo, the film lacks the innovation and depth necessary to resonate with audiences in a meaningful way. It feels more like a missed opportunity than a celebration of the festive season—a reminder that even the most established filmmakers can sometimes falter in their quest for relevance.
As the credits roll, I am left yearning for more—a deeper exploration of its themes, stronger character arcs, and a more innovative take on a topic that is increasingly relevant in our lives. In a world where AI is reshaping our realities, “I Want To Be Boss” feels like a light-hearted romp that, despite its ambition, never quite reaches the heights it aspires to. (Neo 2025)