Limitless: A Drug that Leaves Some Stones Unturned

Bradley Cooper stars as Eddie Morra a writer turned genius when he swallows a superpill, NZT. Overnight he goes from less than average Joe to someone who has supermemory, super analytical skills and superfast learner.  Of course with such a powerful pill, you can bet there are people after it, including a loan shark, a CEO's personal assistant.  Over the course of the film, as Eddie builds himself and Lindy a future, he battles side effects, withdrawal, and getting chased down by bad guys, the least bad being Robert De Niro's business tycoon Van Loon.

The pace of the film feels like a quick spread of peanut butter on a slice of bread. Fairly swift and calculated without taking time to smooth it all or draw smiley faces. There a number of holes that feel under-developed such as Abbie Cornish's Lindy who seems to pop in and out of the film as needed in the plot. Motivational levels then slow down once we get to the merger and the deal is stalled because of a coma. From there on a bit more neat and tidy explanation where Cooper regains control and runs for Senate before De Niro appears once more to blackmail Cooper.  Of course, by now it's the end of the film.

This quick paced thriller could have gained more intensity and captivation by bringing the ending faster and extended the story from there. It's fun to watch right now though the trailer taunted with bigger thrills and stakes.  Visually it's quite trippy to see the world through Eddie's eyes after he pops a pill.

3.25/5