Jobs - C+

Rated PG-13, 122 minutes

Ashton Kutcher as Steve Jobs

Much like the man himself, "Jobs" is both entertaining and flawed

"Jobs" is the new semi-autobiographical piece on legendary technological innovator Steve Jobs, founder of Apple Computers. Starring Ashton Kutcher as Jobs, it's well-acted, engaging and flawed, appealing to techie's and fans of the trailblazing entrepreneur. It focuses on the rise and building of Apple with Steve Wozniak (Josh Gad), Mike Markkula (Dermot Mulroney) and several others until around 2001 and the launch of the iPod. Directed by Joshua Michael Stern ("Swing Vote") and with a screenplay by Matt Whiteley, it's an enjoyable, if not a tad overlong and sketchy, look at the early days of the PC revolution started by Jobs' company, though it lacks depth as it gets bogged down in its middle act and ending on a very sentimental note. "Jobs," unsurprisingly, is most memorable for the vivid turn by Kutcher, who captures a believable portrait of the iconic Apple leader down to his loping walk, mannerisms and clothes. The downside is that "Jobs" isn't that revelatory into Jobs personal life, focusing almost exclusively on Jobs the businessman, innovator and executive, telling us what we really already knew about him: that he was a demanding perfectionist, intensely creative and a shrewd deal maker.  Instead of examining Jobs on a deeply personal level, the second act of "Jobs" is bogged down by some internal Apple politics that adds little insight into Jobs the man, pushing the movie about 15 minutes too long. The engaging opening chapters of the film are the most fascinating as the men establish Apple to get it up and running and how each of their roles change through the years (the low-key Gad is also well-cast as Wozniak). For Apple fanatics, "Jobs" will be a big treat, but otherwise is a flawed but wholly entertaining portrait of an icon, with one of Kutcher's least self-aware and smirky performances to date. Worth a look especially for Jobs enthusiasts.

Wes's Grade: C+