Review of Limitless (2011) by Metadoc — 25 Mar 2011

This is my first online movie review-- I had to say something because so many critics are giving this around a "6" and I thought it was more like an 8.5. This movie did not disappoint for one minute-- and I meant that: even the opening credits were unusually engaging-- twice during the opening credits I thought "wow, nicely done!".

Maybe it's not "epic", but it has no significant flaws: The central concept (take drug/ get really smart/ try to keep things from spinning out of control) is immediately intriguing. The acting has no seriously weak links-- and Bradley Cooper is outstanding.

He has at least one very good scene with Robert DeNiro and has a great mix of "inner con artist" mixed with "do the right thing" that play off each other throughout the movie. The special effects felt just right to me-- I got a good sense of what the drug was doing without feeling like the effects were cheesy.

And the soundtrack was great. I have rarely been so engaged for an entire film-- and even the ending surprised me. There's really nothing wrong with this movie; it's just not groundbreaking or epic enough to be a 9 or 10.

..but it's a very solid 8 in my book.