Do not let the scope and structure mislead you; 'Steve Jobs' is simply superb.

Rating: 8/10 (14 November 2015)

'Steve Jobs' is unlike any biopic made before. Instead of dramatizing the key moments of Jobs' life, screenwriter Aaron Sorkin splits the film into three sections; each section takes place an hour before a product launch. Each product launch takes place in a different year: 1984 (Mac), 1988 (NeXT), and 1998 (iMac). Before each product launch, we see Jobs (Fassbender) interact with the various people involved in his life; this includes marketing executive Joanna Hoffman (Winslet), Steve Wozniak (Rogen), then-CEO of Apple John Sculley (Daniels), and his daughter, Lisa Brennan-Jobs (3 different actresses).
The story structure is closer to what you would see in a stage play rather than a screenplay, but Danny Boyle does a fantastic job in making it as cinematic as possible. Every conversation and argument in this film commands your attention; it's unlikely that you're going to fall asleep while watching this film. Each exchange builds in tension rapidly, yet makes the time to let everything sink in for the audience and the characters.
There are a few flashbacks in the film; each one is masterfully edited to coincide with its conversation. They do not interrupt the pacing of the film; instead, they serve as short little insights that tremendously impact the story and the characters.
Although Michael Fassbender doesn't look like Steve Jobs, he certainly channels his personality, quick wit, and determination. In addition to doing a brilliant job of playing Steve Jobs as a great innovator (as the media presents him as), he does an equally brilliant job of playing Steve Jobs as a deeply-flawed individual, both in his personal and professional life. His chemistry with the rest of the cast is wonderful; there wasn't a single moment that I wasn't absorbed with his character. Fassbender's portrayal of one of the world's most accomplished people is by far one of the best performances that I have seen this year.
The rest of the ensemble cast is just as fantastic as Fassbender; Kate Winslet and Jeff Daniels rank as my personal stand-outs. Winslet is convincing both as a professional marketing executive (spouting off statistics at a rapid pace), and as a strong foil to Jobs. Her presence dominates when it comes to running the product launches, yet also possesses an emotional vulnerability when it comes to running her difficult boss. Jeff Daniels, similar to Winslet, is quite believable as a CEO of a big corporation. He acts as a sort-of father figure to Jobs, but also knows when he needs to let go. The reason he stood out to me has to do with this one scene between him and Jobs in the second section. If you watch the film, you would realize just how perfectly constructed it is. It just might be the best scene in that film.
The music by Daniel Pemberton also deserves a mention. The soundtrack may not be full of big booming orchestral pieces, but complements the film well and even raises it to another level. Simply put, the film would have been a lot less effective if it wasn't for its subtle, yet amazing score (much like 'The Social Network').
'Steve Jobs' is by no means a perfect film (because I don't think anyone can make a perfect Steve Jobs film), but it is the closest that we have gotten to making one. This review is just the tip of the iceberg; there are so many more great aspects about this film that I left out (e.g. Jobs' relationship with his daughter). The entire experience is both emotional and exhilarating - it is a shame that not more people are going to see it in theatres.