Limitless

Limitless features an interesting and valuable subject that had great potential for a truly top-notch sci-fi thriller. However, this potential was wasted by an average screenplay that dealt with the subject in the easiest and least risky way for producers, resulting in a technically polished and professionally directed thriller, but one that also amounts to quite an undemanding popcorn movie with logical gaps. It is necessary to ask why the distribution of a commercially extremely interesting drug collapses after the death of the only dealer. How is it possible that the only user manages the correct dosage, and why can users who are pumped by chemicals that greatly enhance cognitive performance not obtain the appropriate substance from the manufacturer given their intelligence quotient? Not to mention that competition between individual geniuses themselves would have much greater potential. However, that would require an extra intelligent screenwriter who would probably have to be on the drugs himself. Many others have mentioned the quality of the cinematography and dynamic direction, and I agree with that and give the film a weaker 4 stars, noting that it could have been significantly better. Overall impression: 70%. (10/18/2011)

A watchable film with entertaining formal tricks, but the script has a lot of problems. I was very annoyed by the main character behaving like an asshole all the time (and even more with the smart pill). Of course that made up drug can work in any way the creators see fit, so it’s pointless to look for any logic in its effect, but it still prevented me from fully enjoying the film. And either I didn’t understand its meaning, or the ending is utterly stupid. (05/21/2011)

I'm debating the whole way out of the cinema whether to give it the full 5 stars or just 4 stars. Since the film had a few weaker moments at the beginning, I'm giving it 4 stars. At times I felt like a blotter that can't take in any more liquid because it's too full. At times it was really crazy and rushed and I couldn't keep up. The "licking" camera was getting to me and it’s a wonder it didn't make me dizzy. The scene where Cooper drinks blood from the ground was really good! Everyone in our row put their hands in front of their eyes. The NZT idea was fully exploited and I'm actually an enthusiastic viewer. (04/24/2011)

“I know you’re not stupid, but don’t make the classic smart person’s mistake of thinking no one’s smarter than you.” You’ll go to see Limitless as an inconspicuous, dime-a-dozen March thriller that couldn’t afford a bigger star than Bradley Cooper, and you will get a fresh chill-out movie with good dialogue and an innovative script and visual ideas (Google Streetview guys have a lot to improve) and above all a great Cooper, who is able to single-handedly act as the driving force behind a thrilling feature film. Moreover, if you find yourself having a soft spot for a young version of Nicole Kidman named Abbie Cornish, this is a perfect movie for you. (03/23/2011)

Say yes to drugs? Limitless is a decently made, but ordinary, sometimes very stupidly naive fairy tale with a blatantly messed up ending (I really don't think one needs any special finesse to hit another person in the head with a TV, or to put a dish brush in his mouth). But the film thankfully has a likable Bradley Cooper, and Robert De Niro, although he doesn't have much to do this time and is in the film mainly to be in it. They say the book is better. I'd like to believe it, but I don't want to read it. God knows who wrote it and under what influence. (08/20/2011)