ViewGuide

Created Apr 20, 2011 08:25AM PST • Edited Apr 20, 2011 10:10AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Very Good 3.5

   Imagine a drug that can give you accelerated thinking, crystal clear analytical thought, and the ability to recall anything you’ve ever seen or heard. That’s the wonders of the fictional drug NZT48, which allows Eddie Morra (Bradley Cooper) to use his entire brain to write novels, succeed in the stock market, and solve complex analytical problems in the movie Limitless.

   Fast paced, and with rich, vivid imagery, and a transfixing voice-over narration, Limitless delves into the problems of addiction. As with most things in life, chemical enhancements, whether through drugs, alcohol, or caffeine, can easily become an addiction. And millions of us rely on those chemicals on a daily basis (as I drink my morning coffee). Cooper is effective in portraying a down and out writer who is introduced to this wonder drug, including its life changing benefits. His rugged good looks change as the drug takes over his life and relationships. Abbie Cornish plays his girlfriend, in an underdeveloped role that doesn’t quite fit into the story, and Robert De Niro plays an ultra successful executive that Morra becomes involved with. In fact, De Niro has one of the best speeches of the whole movie, when he admonishes Morra for being too cocky. It’s sure to become a favorite audition piece for a score of actors.

   Where the movie suffers somewhat is in trying to do too much. When it’s all said and done, I walked away feeling as though there were just a few too many storylines in the film. A bit too many spices in the soup as it were.

   But, overall, I enjoyed the movie, and found the escapism of being able to do anything and process information quickly enjoyable.

4. Acting

   Good 3.0

5. Male Stars Good 3.0

   Cooper does a fine job as the young writer whose life is transformed by the drug.

6. Female Stars OK 2.5

   Cornish plays Lindy, the girlfriend whose character never is fully developed to my liking, which is a shame, as she has a great screen presence.

7. Female Costars OK 2.5

8. Male Costars Very Good 3.5

   De Niro is De Niro, and although he’s slowed down a bit recently, he still can command a scene with his unique facial expressions and steely persona.

10. Film

    Good 3.0

11. Direction Good 3.0

    Fast paced, and a bit chaotic helps to heighten the effects of the drug.

12. Play Good 3.0

13. Music OK 2.5

    A strong pulsating musical score helps to add to the adrenaline rush.

14. Visuals Very Good 3.5

    Creative imagery during some scenes heightens the drugs effects.

15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 1.9

17. Sex Innocent 1.0

    No nudity

18. Violence Brutal 2.6

    Some fighting and stabblings.

19. Rudeness Salty 2.0

    Some swearing, but few f bombs.

21. Reality

    Surreal 2.3

    We probably are capable of making a drug like this, which is somewhat disturbing. With the rapid influx of “designer drugs” into society, and a craving for energy and performance enhancements, its not that far fetched.

22. Circumstantial Supernatural 3.2

23. Biological Glib 1.9

24. Physical Glib 1.7