Limitless (2011)

Number Rolled: 95

Movie Name/Year: Limitless (2011)

Genre: Thriller

Length: 104 minutes

Rating: PG-13

Director: Neil Burger

Writer: Leslie Dixon, Alan Glynn

Actors: Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Abbie Cornish, Andrew Howard, Anna Friel, Johnny Whitworth, Tomas Arana, Robert John Burke, Darren Goldstein, Ned Eisenberg, T.V. Carpio, Richard Bekins, Patricia Kalember

After running into a guy from his past, Eddie learns of a new drug (NZT) that could enhance his mental performance. The downside of the pill remains unlearned as the man convinces Eddie to give it a try. With his mind clear and his life taking an up-swing, Eddie sets higher and higher goals that can never fail; as long as he has the pills.

I thought this movie was better the first time I saw it. Had I rolled for it at that time, and written the review directly following, it likely would have gotten a max score. What this says to me is that re-watch value is lower than first-watch, which I don’t find to be true of my favorite films. For example, I could watch Clerks twice in a row (which I have) and never score it less than max. That doesn’t mean Limitless a bad film, not by a long shot.

It’s incredible, even with the re-watch score factored in. Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro play off each other like very few leads I’ve seen and Andrew Howard makes a spectacular low-life (which I legitimately mean as a compliment). The script was brilliant and the plot was thought provoking, at the very least.

What I might have liked the best is that the movie saves you from having to hear some preachy unnecessary moral. Some movies that have the same kind of base plot are mostly setting you up for an ending that’s trying to make you reconsider your life in some way. Sometimes, having that inspiration is fine, but Limitless is just fun.

You have to suspend disbelief on a few things and there are few disjointed moments (outside of when it’s supposed to be). None-the-less, I look forward to watching it again and seeing if the re-watch value continues to decline or if it’s just the fact that I knew the story already.

It certainly makes me think, though. A pill that could upgrade your thought-process by approximately 500%, even with some serious side effects, is very tempting. I’ve asked myself if I would take it, coming to the conclusion that I would want myself to say no, but the temptation would be too much for me.

Would you take it?

Overall Opinion – 4/5