Web Series Episode Review “PN & Friends: Algore” AI and its grasp over humanity gets the always distinguishable, and forthright, “PN” touch
WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW:
First, the Recap:
A facsimile of reality. Doesn’t it feel like, at least sometimes, that what we see around us isn’t real? More looking at it from the viewpoint of how we WISH the world could be, this only makes what we are ACTUALLY experiencing, especially when it’s chaotic, seem like this UN-reality we just don’t wish to accept. But, what if we, as individuals, could re-attach to the concept of being able to make changes to improve all around us, mold and shape it to that ideal place to reside within, and conquer all that would stand to prevent us from doing so?
This may sound a bit enigmatic, or just plain weird, but for the ongoing adventures of a man named PN (Todd Montesi) and his merry band of misfits–Nagin (Matt Nagin), Dixon (Joseph Lewis Dixon), Dave Voice (David “the Voice” Stein), and Kenzie (Kenzie Klem)–the current state of the world for them is anything but settled or ideal. Constantly pursued by Evil PN (also Montesi) and facing the onset of AI and its desire to reboot the world, can PN make the right choices as “the Glitch” in the system to set things back to as they should be? Or fall to a technological nightmare?
Next, my Mind:
Comedy takes on MANY a form, and in this day and age, this critic feels it ebbs and flows with both tastes of classic stylings plus more boldly manifesting modernity that will totally satisfy some, perhaps turn off others, or just plain baffle people. From my experiences in this genre within the indie film world, I can say without exception that one of the most shining examples of ALL of the those aforementioned facets have been found through the ongoing web series from writer/director/producer/editor/composer Todd Montesi, who continues here with longstanding collaborators and associate producers Matt Nagin, Darryn Smith, and Charlton Ruddock, to produce some of THE most off-the-wall yet socially and culturally relevant and apropos content which reflects the times we live in and the state of the country via his often deeply satiric, candidly irreverent, utterly zany brand of wit that assuredly does make it stand out in its field.
From the previous episodes (and I do now classify them as such, even though I indicated “short film” previously) I had the chance to review, which can be found here and here, which addressed COVID-19 and the concept of “herd mentality” respectively, I pretty much knew what kind of insanity would ensue upon receiving this most recent episode of the series. To say the least, I was NOT disappointed in this expectation! Delving into the world of a VERY current and ever-controversial topic…AI…the narrative here finds the long-suffering and intrepid PN facing the fact that his evil twin and another, even more ominous AI entity, wish to reset the world (and correct (aka: eliminate) the “glitch” that is in the way…which of course is PN), the anticipated dive into outlandish eccentricity, sci-fi-centric madness, and just flat out zaniness is immediate and relentlessly immersive throughout the episode’s 53-minute runtime.
BUT, is this NOT what we have come to look forward with Montesi’s series?? YES!! A resounding YES!! I do maintain, and not remotely in some kind of “negative” manner, that this material and the uncomplicated, generally spartan look it has will be for everyone out there, which is perfectly fine. Frankly, I can’t say that it is, or was ever, MEANT to be. You must enter into any of this series with quite an open mind and allow your ideas of “typical” humor to be released in order to take the time to absorb and appreciate this content. Admittedly, with this particular episode, I give Montesi & Company credit for a far more “polished” visual look for a large number of scenes, due to precisely what the episode is concentrated on…AI and AI-generated imagery! Yet, it is what we must then be willing to begin searching BEYOND the surface and the quirkiness of it all to delve into what Montesi is intending to make statements about, at least in this critic’s opinion.
First off, I could latch onto an almost “Matrix”-focused parody approach to the cornerstone topic of the world around us being a simulation rather than a reality we really wish to hold onto or accept. We then proceed into concepts of technology run amok, our overt reliance on it that seems to cripple us when it doesn’t work in the ways we feel we so “desperately” need it, the foundational rise of AI, references to the “inventor” of the internet (and ode to the ep’s title) Al Gore, how our contemporary actuality does NEED a reboot, our lost values, our having created something (aka: AI) that allows us to have too much power to be handled responsibly, always underlying political themes, an ode to the “multiverse” (Marvel fans! ASSEMBLE!!), and looks into our origins, the duality within us as people, and choosing our OWN path are all grander thematic elements showcased as the ep unfolds, culminating in a satisfying, albeit enigmatic, finale.
While I have not, overall, come close to seeing EVERY ep of this web series, the ones I have taken in (now including this newest installment) are enough to acknowledge the quality of effort and artistic boldness that Montesi keeps bringing to his role here as PN, the ever-present “everyman” and affable oaf who suffice it to say is put through SOME form of ringer each and every time a new topic he’s dealing with arrives. Still attempting to rid himself of his conniving evil twin who just wants to take over the world, PN must also confront a universally-born AI figure who wants to see PN removed from existence while hatching a final plan to restart, reshape, and rule a new AI-driven world. Can PN (and his equally nutty group of friends) find the ways to prevent this from happening?? Or is the world truly doomed this time??
As mentioned above, this is all such an exercise in plain silliness, but it’s THANKS to the execution of it all that Montesi brings to it that honestly validates it and DOES make it worth watching, with his performance being both wacky, even awkward at times, yet undeniably engaging for the style of humor and purpose he wishes to convey. The character so deftly works for the material in question, and Montesi’s passion and stalwart dedication to PN and this series remains evident and unwavering. The primary supporting players who’ve been present for pretty much this series’ entire run (at least to my knowledge) remain just as entertaining and offbeat here, beginning with Nagin as, well, Nagin, one of PN’s closest compatriots and who certainly finds himself caught up the building tumult being caused by PN’s plight with his evil twin and the AI “god” looking to end them all.
Dixon, is, well, Dixon, the man who tends to find himself (and more so his apartment!) as the staging ground, much to his ever-growing agitation and desire to really NOT be a part of PN’s craziness and circumstances! Continuing a rather conspicuous trend, Dave “The Voice” plays, well, Dave Voice, who in this situation gets a highly weird and mind-bending adventure of his own as he attempts to find his place amidst the unfolding events PN is having to face! Finally, Klem appears once again as, well, Kenzie who has a more reflective look back at how her world has been altered and affected by PN’s trials and triumphs but who also has a much larger part she plays in how events might come to a head as well! As in the past, this core ensemble has always worked well both individually and as a cohesive unit, and I am extending full props to each and every one of you here when I genuinely say “great job!” in this fresh installment of the series.
So, in total, “PN & Friends: Algore” stands on its own two feet as another solidly delivered episode and representation of the exceedingly unique comedic methodology the “PN & Friends” web series has sustained now for the last seven years total now, unafraid to just BE who and what it is, unapologetically sharing with the world their own perspective of socially, culturally, and politically-charged current events and, frankly, US as humanity, with a biting farcical edge that we may actually NEED to take heed of more than we’d care to admit. Fight on, PN, fight on!
STAR RATING (out of 5):
