Sadly, Bad Genius fails to fulfil its early promise, especially when it comes to subverting the English-language stereotype of Asian students as brainy but straitlaced.

Fans of the 2017 version of “Bad Genius” may not need a makeover, but it’s still both novel and compelling enough to be worthwhile.

"Bad Genius” doesn’t actually have the political bite to back its bark. For all of its declarations meant to be scathing indictments of a rigged system, it is glaringly resistant to ever saying the word “white.”

Pulses with the energy and thrills of a heist film, but it is the deeper theme of privileged America exploiting the intelligence and ambitions of the nation’s minorities that resonates.