Lucy

There have been quite a few films as of late based around the idea of human intelligence and what would happen if we could harness it.

To some degree, there was Inception back in 2010, which as many of you know is my favorite movie. But that deals more specifically with dreams and controlling them rather than straight-out knowledge.

Limitless was a fun thriller with Bradley Cooper, although it really didn't do anything fantastical with the premise of using more than 10% of our brains (which is somewhat of a scientific farce I should hope my readers know).

Then there was Transcendence earlier this year which explored the concept of computer knowledge and human control merging into one. As a movie critic, I am often critical of my own reviews and I do have to say that this is one of those films that, looking back on it, I was much to gracious in my rating of 7/10. But that's a discussion to have during the 2014 Rath Awards, not here. Suffice it to say that Transcendence was a bit of a mess with a highly intriguing premise encapsulated somewhere in there.

So now, in July of 2014, we get to Lucy, director Luc Besson's adventure into this new super-knowledge genre. What would happen if someone could unlock 100% of their brains capacity? Limitless believed that it would simply make the person highly intelligent and efficient. Transcendence believed that it would give them control over most everything electronic.

Lucy on the other hand, believes that it would give you superpowers. Which, is as the way most of these movies go, is both its strongest and weakest aspects of the film.

Scarlett Johansson tripping major balls...

Told you so...

Lucy is definitely one of those films that's not for everyone. There are probably around three specific scenes that I can think of that challenge the viewer to stick with the film's premise as Lucy's powers get more and more unimaginable. Personally, I was all on board for about 90% of the film and my issues with the film weren't really centered around believability. My personal issue with the film was a complete lack of weight to the proceedings. Lucy is a party girl in a foreign country who gets roped into being a drug mule, carrying a drug called CP-4 in her lower stomach. The bag of the drug ruptures, releasing into her bloodstream, and leading to her expanded use of her brain. The initial premise and explicit selection of this girl, Lucy, was a little too circumstantial for me to appreciate as this really could have happened to anyone. But by the time the movie completes its quick near-90-minute run time (which don't get me wrong, I really appreciated), it seems like nothing was accomplished. I don't want to give away the ending as the film's final scenes are actually quite breathtaking, but the consequences of everything in the film don't really add up to much and it left me with a "what now?" inquiry. Additionally, as I mentioned earlier, the plot is not complicated by any means but it just...kind of...meanders. I always knew why characters were doing what they were doing, but again, everything just seemed so random that I had to just will myself along for the ride.

But as much as I just harped on Lucy in that last paragraph, I have to admit, I had a ton of fun with it. Scarlett Johansson continues her world-domination tour this year (Her, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Under the Skin) with a role that was practically built for her. In the short time we see her as a normal human, she displays emotional range appropriate for this type of film. More impressive though is how easily she slips into being stone-cold once her brain begins expanding. She has small eye and mouth ticks that impressed me and was able to keep her voice monotonous for most of the film. It's not her best performance ever, but its a strong one nonetheless and it helps the film considerably. The action was also pretty strong, although some scenes were ruined by Lucy's powers when it would have been sweet to see her get into hand-to-hand combat. My favorite was a car chase through Paris, and although it had obvious CGI, it was fun and funny to watch Lucy pilot a small car with over half her brain's potential unlocked.

Apparently Morgan Freeman enjoys movies
about knowledge as he was also in this year's
Transcendence

Lastly, I quite enjoyed Besson's style. At first I was taken aback by the intercuts to metaphorical imagery but it grew on me and it certainly played a key role in the film's impressive ending. It's hard to explain now, but the first time you see on in the movie you will know what I'm talking about. Lucy is far more based on nature and evolution than was previously hinted, and the ending brings that full circle. Again, I was let down by the consequences of the ending, but the ending itself is rather glorious.

Lucy is really one of those films that I think many will hate and many will enjoy. And to be honest, both camps have their valid reasons. But for this critic, I enjoyed my time with Lucy, albeit I was ultimately a little disappointed with it. But it had the wildest explanation of the oft-explored premise and it far exceeded Transcendence despite what my scores might indicate.

It was short, sweet, easy to follow along, features Scarlett Johansson kicking ass, has a couple cool action scenes, some interesting imagery, and an intriguing premise. Sometimes films beg the question, "What more could you ask for?". I'd place Lucy into that grouping.

CONS:

• A meandering and highly circumstantial plot is what bothers me the most a day later. Lucy getting the drugs happened all by chance. Morgan Freeman's professor getting involved was pretty much all by chance. Even the drugs bursting in her stomach was by chance. There just needed to be more of a driving purpose behind everything
• Speaking of purpose, what was the film's? As impressive as the ending was, it ends, not on a cliffhanger, but rather on a empty note. Someone just unlocked 100% of their mental capacity and it seems like the world is really no different because of it
• I wish there would have been one more action scene of hand-to-hand combat rather than Lucy just using her powers the whole time
• A few obvious CGI moments
• Several scenes ask you to stretch your imagination. It's during these scenes that I would guess that many people decide not to finish the ride

PROS:

• Scarlett Johansson is a powerhouse and a strong leading lady for a film that wouldn't have worked without one
• Some pretty awesome action scenes throughout
• Interesting discussion on the use of the human brain and evolution/revolution
• The ending is pretty amazing despite its lack of consequence overall. I want to explain it but to do so would be to give the film away
• Besson's distinct style helps to give the film personality
• Gotta give points for being short and sweet

Rath's Review Score: 7.5/10