Lucy (2014) - A Hit for the Teenage Boy Mindset

Luc Besson’s new psychological and biological thriller essentially incorporates 2011’s Limitless with cerebral developments, sex appeal and typical guns and gore. In typical science fiction fashion, there are various instances of scientific theory which interposes the cinematic narrative in order to essentially “forecast” the evolution of the cerebral capacity of the living creature, particularly human beings.

Inspired by the established myth that human beings only operate ten per cent of their potential brainpower, Luc Besson has utilised this legend to essentially create a dystopic image of universal fears, especially speaking to the dispensability and vulnerability of the human entity within it. This old and often repeated myth antagonises scientists, but is fictionalised in this cinematic portrayal in order to fundamentally illustrate the appeal of pseudo-intellectual film.

Fundamentally reminiscent of Neil Burger’s Limitless, the strong drug ethos throughout the cinematic narrative is emblematised through the mind-improving blue power which is hidden within four human bodies in order to traberse geographical borders. An American student living in Taipei, protagonist Lucy, played by Scarlett Johansson, meets the nefarious Richard whom essentially inducts her into a world of criminality.

Once she is captured by one Mr. Keng and his troop of criminals, she is appointed as an inadvertent mule for the narcotic brand “CPH4”. This powered opiate resembles a cross between blue sherbet and blue bath crystals. When Lucy, tied up prior to her planned drug mule transatlantic flight, refuses to engage in sexual activity with her captors, she is beaten up, and the mind-altering substance is released into her bloodstream. The narcotics leak into her body and fundamentally break down the limits to her cerebral capacity, with the utilisation of these drugs, Lucy is transformed into a being with supernatural capabilities. 

Having transgressed mortal limitations of gravity, time, human strength and capacity, Lucy is able to project her expected death and comprehends that once she reaches a point where her cells must choose to reproduce or become immortal. Her body begins to attack itself in order to adapt to the hostility of the environment

As Luc Besson says: “The brain cell only has two solutions, either to reproduce or be immortal. Obviously, we choose reproduction; we make kids and we pass it on. There are so many things that are repetitive in our style of life; I'm very excited and concerned about these patterns. It's very interesting."

So all in all, I would say that if you are a “typical” boy whose thoughts tend to jump between girls, food, guns and technology, then you will love love love this movie. But from the perspective of someone who kind of gets the urge to punch Scarlet Johansson after the two hour limit, then this movie gets the accolade of a distinctly average, three stars.

★★★