The American thriller “Limitless” hits Hong Kong theaters this week. Directed by Neil Burger, the film tells the story of a writer who realizes his brain’s full potential with a special drug. Starring Bradley Cooper, “Limitless” has generated mixed reviews, with some fond of Mr. Cooper’s performance while others more critical on the film’s plot and screenplay. Here’s a roundup of what the critics have to say, courtesy of Speakeasy.
“Bradley Cooper fits well into the two versions of Eddie Morra, and director Neil Burger does inventive visual effects in showing how time telescopes for Eddie and the answers to problems seem to materialize before his eyes. A subplot about a murder, however, raises questions it doesn’t answer, and all the quasi-criminal stuff seems a little perfunctory. The movie is not terrifically good, but the premise is intriguing; it doesn’t really set out to explore what such a pill might really to do a person. “Limitless” only uses 15, maybe 20 percent of its brain. Still, that’s more than a lot of movies do. The movie is not terrifically good, but the premise is intriguing; it doesn’t really set out to explore what such a pill might really to do a person. “Limitless” only uses 15, maybe 20 percent of its brain. Still, that’s more than a lot of movies do.” [Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times] “It’s good to see Cooper – usually seen in raunch (“The Hangover”) and rom-coms (“Wedding Crashers,” “He’s Just Not That Into You,” “Valentine’s Day”) – stretching and not just skating by on his looks. By contrast, DeNiro merely has to look pained much of the time. Burger has opened up what was a very interior book and injected it with a jolt of cinematic electricity. Smart move, smart movie.” [Cary Darling, Charlotte Observer] “The disappointment is that for all of the possibilities, ‘Limitless’ never gets beyond ‘limited.’ De Niro is playing Van Loon at the intersection of the “Meet the Fockers”‘ex-CIA conspiracy-fueled father-in-law and his overbearing, self-righteous, daddy dearest of “This Boy’s Life.” Cornish is just playing pretty, but in that accessory way that ensures her Lindy has more warmth than depth. Best of the bunch by far is veteran British stage actor Andrew Howard, making an excellent skin-peeling villain and an equally excellent case for why bad guys should never be given smart pills.” [Betsy Sharkey, LA Times] “A popular myth claims that humans only use a small percentage of their brains to function…The slick new thriller Limitless doesn’t question the myth, but it seductively exploits the fantasy of greater knowledge, greater perception, and a greater ability to make bank and change the world. Cooper acts like his own genie in a bottle, achieving instant wealth, writing a prize-worthy novel in a few days, and getting laid in the process. Working from Alan Glynn’s novel The Dark Fields, Burger and screenwriter Leslie Dixon are so content with keeping him on the fast track that they lose any sense of moral depth or consequence. It’s a small victory for flash in its eternal war with substance, but in this case, the flash is enough.” [Scott Tobias, A.V. Club]
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