Super Pumped: The Story of Uber – A Review

Recently, I watched Super Pumped, a show that captures the rise of Uber and its co-founder, Travis Kalanick. Spanning just seven episodes, the show covers Kalanick's journey from the early days of Uber to its meteoric rise as a tech giant. Here’s my take on the show and why you might want to check it out.

A Story That Hooks You

Netflix first suggested Super Pumped to me, and I was immediately interested. Not only did it feature Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who I’ve loved since Angels in the Outfield, but the story was also about Uber—a service I use often. The idea of getting an inside look at the company that changed how we get around was instantly appealing.

The series focuses on Kalanick, who is portrayed as a frustrating character—an arrogant and unpredictable leader whose actions ultimately lead to chaos for everyone around him, including himself. This portrayal is raw and complex, adding depth to the narrative, though I often found myself annoyed by just how much of a "loose cannon" he was. Despite hoping he would change or redeem himself at various points, it felt like every chance he had for personal growth turned into another missed opportunity.

Gripping Drama, Fast-Paced Storytelling

The storytelling is intense and fast-paced. With only seven episodes to cover around six or seven years of Uber’s history, everything moves quickly. It felt gripping to me—I kept hoping for Kalanick to make amends, but time and time again, he didn’t. Even though it was clear the series was condensing a lot of information, it remained a well-told story overall, one that kept me engaged from start to finish.

One of the standout moments for me was the meeting between Travis Kalanick and Apple CEO Tim Cook. The tension in that scene was palpable, and it was a pivotal moment that perfectly encapsulated the stakes and pressure that Kalanick was under. On the other hand, my biggest complaint is that the show was simply too short—I would have loved more episodes to dive deeper into the intricacies of Uber's journey.

Comparisons and Final Thoughts

When comparing Super Pumped to similar shows, like Silicon Valley or Succession, it’s clear that they all have different tones. While Silicon Valley is a comedy about the tech industry, Super Pumped takes a more serious look at the business side of things, albeit without the polish or depth of Succession. The acting was solid all around, but there wasn't a particular performance that stood out as spectacular—everyone simply did a good job of delivering their roles.

The visuals and music were kept pretty basic throughout, allowing the story to take the lead. This minimalistic approach worked well since the drama itself was gripping enough to keep my attention. The show revealed a lot about the questionable practices that happened behind the scenes at Uber—none of which was too surprising, considering the aggressive nature of many tech start-ups, but it was still eye-opening.

Would I recommend Super Pumped? Definitely—especially to those who love stories inspired by real events and are interested in tech giants. Just keep in mind that this show isn’t family-friendly, thanks to a lot of strong language. If you can handle that, it’s an interesting look into the chaotic rise of one of the most well-known companies in recent years.

All in all, Super Pumped is a fast-paced, informative ride through the beginnings of Uber. Despite its limited run of just seven episodes, it’s well worth the watch—if for no other reason than to see how easily the quest for success can spiral out of control.