Lucy (2014).

Review #1057: Lucy.

Cast: 
Scarlett Johansson (Lucy), Morgan Freeman (Professor Norman), Choi Min-sik (Mr. Jang), Amr Waked (Pierre Del Rio), Julian Rhind-Tutt (The Limey), Pilou Asbæk (Richard), Analeigh Tipton (Caroline), and Nicolas Phongpheth (Jii) Directed by Luc Besson (#027 - The Fifth Element)

Review: 
It isn't hard to refute the film's use of the urban legend that we only use 10 percent of our brains, but I imagine you've already heard about the myth or figured that giving the movie heat for using this as a metaphor isn't worth much in the grand scheme of things. In any case, I will say that this isn't an insulting movie to watch, but I also can't say I enjoyed the film positively. It isn't an idiotic movie, but it also isn't a movie for ones looking for something too logical. It definitely doesn't ring too well as a science fiction film, but it is capable in some way as an action thriller, for better or for worse, with at least some sort of fine style to it. Johansson does okay in showing a bit of vulnerability with her character, but the other parts of the movie that involve some sort of philosophy don't click too well, although I can't imagine anyone making this feel any less wooden. Freeman serves as exposition (particularly in the beginning), with the film taking its time for him to intersect with Johansson. Although the cast is fairly decent, none of the characters are particularly worthy of investing in, since we are dealing with a person in the film that literally cannot be stopped, which means that there are no real stakes to the film. I wonder what would've happened if there had been another person who managed to obtain the same kind of abilities that Lucy had with the drug (after all, there were three others used as mules to transport it), maybe as some sort of contrast to her. It probably would've resulted in a murky and heavy-handed climax, but it might've made for something that would've made the movie seem more useful. It only makes sense that the film resembles (in small part) to 2001: A Space Odyssey, since Besson is quoted as stating that the his movie's last part resembles 2001, after having shifted from resembling Léon: The Professional (1994, which Besson directed and wrote) to Inception (2010) to 2001. I would add that his movie reminds me of what would happen if a student decided to try and learn more philosophy and science by rolling down a hill on a giant tire.

It is interesting to note that it took me over a thousand reviews to actually review another film done by Luc Besson, particularly one that is also a French film (with a primary use of English language along with some use of Korean and French), so make of that what you will. There is a certain mania that consumes the movie that can work to the film's advantage if one is the right mindset for it. The animal imagery (obviously intended as some sort of symbolism) utilized at times in the film is ridiculous, particularly when used for the opening sequences (interspliced with exposition from Freeman talking) that I suppose makes the philosophy of the film look less surprisingly ridiculous. The movie (which has a pace of 90 minutes) doesn't advocate for anything ridiculous or insulting (although I suppose one could take umbrage with some of the sequences and lines). While the climax has a decent fight sequence, it is the end that takes the cake in terms of being the capstone for such a ridiculous film, with my favorite line being "I AM EVERYWHERE", which you'd think would be something that a villain would say. At the end of the day, this is an off the wall kind of movie that I will give credit for trying to be ambitious, even if I find it to be just a bit off its mark of intent, although your mileage may vary. This is a film made to entertain, and on that it may very well succeed, but I can't say that I liked Lucy enough to really put a positive spin for.

Overall, I give it 6 out of 10 stars.