The Current War: Director's Cut

Fuelled by impressive performances from a sensational cast, The Current War is a sturdy, well-paced historical drama. The production values - its set design, cinematography, costumes - are particularly winsome.

It's a dizzying menu, aimed at eliminating any hint of fustiness and show that this is a story as modern as the rivalry between Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. And I suppose it is. But it's also absorbing enough not to need any artificial means of support.

This is an interesting, well-filmed historical drama about a technological showdown that produced something we now all take for granted, as Edison predicted we would

Despite a top-notch cast always worth watching, for a drama with war in its title, there's a lot of smoke and minimal fire.

Ultimately, the film sheds light on a fascinating episode in American history; it falls short, however, of being really electric.

What I think really makes this film special is that it gives more of a role to Michael Shannon as George Westinghouse and talking about the financial risks that both of these men were taking. It kind of sets up the world we see today.

The Current War is instructive and lively, bolstered by the talents of Cumberbatch and Shannon in particular.

Benedict Cumberbatch as boyish, blustery Edison and Michael Shannon as the reserved, ruminative Westinghouse - provide the juice to make this history lesson shine.

It doesn't matter that it has some ironic dialogues and remarkable moments with the acting duel, it's evident that it loses energy in the second half. [Full review in Spanish]

Overall, the movie lacks the voltage necessary to relate this epic tale in the manner it deserves.