Should you watch this at all? OK.
Should you watch this for free? If you’re OK with slapstick.
Score: 1.5/5
Running time: 95 minutes (~1.5 hours)
Secret ending? There’s a mid-credits scene!
“iGirl (梦情人)” is a Hong Kong sci-fi comedy about three guys who get dumped by their girlfriends. They find three robotic substitutes, the iGirls, but their vengeful exes aren’t going to take that lying down. It stars Ekin Cheng (Evan), Dominic Ho (Johnny), Lam Chi-Chung (Irwin), Chrissie Chau (001/O O Pig), Connie Man (002/Elaine), and Joyce Cheng (003/Michelin). It is rated PG-13.
There’s another iGirl movie in existence, but it’s non-Asian cast should clue you in to the fact that it’s a different film. That being said, “iGirl (梦情人)” starts off with a very interesting premise that could have easily devolved into a more carnal film, but doesn’t. However, its execution leaves much to be desired — the special effects are shoddy for science fiction, and the performances don’t go beyond basic emotions and dialogue. With a bit more effort, “iGirl (梦情人)” could have been an intriguing exploration into robotics and humanity, but as it stands, the movie is just a gimmicky comedy.
Highlights
Interesting premise
Although the idea of robot girlfriends might sound like a perverted fantasy, in execution it’s not too far from movies like “Weird Science.” The main character refrains from what you’d expect as he sees his iGirl as a person rather than an object. The resident mad scientist of the movie also gives a short but fascinating monologue about his rationalisation for creating the iGirls. Sadly, all these ideas are never fully realised, and overlooked in favour of simplistic action and zany revenge.
Letdowns
Bad acting
Each character is a caricature, which is not a terrible idea in and of itself until you realise that the cast also makes no effort in going beyond the stereotypes they are stuck with. Their individual characteristics are magnified to the ludicrous magnitudes, such that it becomes the only defining mark of the character. Emotions are flat and dialogue is on the nose, with barely any nuances in the performances.
Strange sound effects
It’s like the sound editor bought a sound effects library from the 80’s and chucked it into the film. Even free sound effects aren’t as cringeworthy as the ones used in the film. It breaks suspension of disbelief to hear cartoonish sounds accompanying what is supposed to be cutting edge of technology, and only serves to constantly remind you that you’re in a cinema watching a movie.
Plot holes galore
By necessity, science fiction requires much exposition for you to relearn the rules of the movie’s world. “iGirl (梦情人)” deftly sidesteps that issue by not having any exposition for what’s happening. Villains get their powers through undefined means, while arbitrary weaknesses are slapped on the iGirls at random. We don’t need hard scientific explanations, but logic and consistency is necessary for the film to be believable.
Slapstick comedy
And then you have visual gags all over the place, but little variance in the type of jokes made. The characters aren’t inherently funny and lack depth, so character-motivated comedy is absent. Slapstick isn’t bad, but if that’s the only form of comedy you have, then it gets stale and repetitive quickly.
“iGirl (梦情人)” could have benefitted from a little more work and a little less gawking.
“iGirl (梦情人)” opens in cinemas 17 March, 2016 (Thursday).
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