LIMITLESS - Movie Review by WZ

PLOT SUMMARY:

An unsuccessful writer takes a drug that unlocks his brain's potential and suddenly becomes a financial success overnight, but this attracts the attention of criminals who also want the drug.

REVIEW:

I don't like long reviews so I'll keep this short and sweet. LIMITLESS is a pretty smart film. Think of it as WALL STREET with a Sci-Fi veneer. Bradley Cooper does an excellent job here. Based on the novel "The Dark Fields" by Alan Glynn. Cooper begins as an unsuccessful writer on the verge of homelessness. However, a chance encounter with a dangerous neuro drug gives him a 4-digit IQ, turning him into the ideal version of himself.

The movie's ending is different from that of the novel's, but I feel this is one of those exceptional cases where the movie's version of the story is better...even if it does open up a few plotholes.  

Those looking for a true exploration of science will be disappointed.  The science never goes beyond "here's the pill, here's what it does...now go!" As such, the story focuses mostly on what Bradley Cooper does with his newfound intellectual superpowers, making vast amounts of money so that he can change the world.

One of the ideas I really like about LIMITLESS is the exploration that we all already possess the required information for success inside of us.  If you remember THE MATRIX, Neo had to "download" information in order to learn Kung Fu. LIMITLESS takes the opposite tack, that if you were able to access absolutely everything you've experienced in life, you would be able to stitch together the skills to do everything you want.

This is good, apolitical, popcorn fun that makes you think a tad about human possibility. Nothing less, nothing more.

And, yes, I would take the pill if given the chance.

QUALITY RATING: Enjoyable

I don't consider this a great film, but it is entertaining and a little thought-provoking. However, LIMITLESS is fundamentally a character movie, not an issue movie. As such, all its science comes morally pre-defined somewhat.

SPEND RATING: Matinee

I think you'll walk out of a matinee feeling you had fun at a good bargain price.  Paying a full price ticket for this movie might leave you feeling that you wanted a little more...not much...but a little.