Not everybody wants an intense, thought-provoking movie that makes the audience question their own version of reality. Not all movies are existential in nature, but are just pure entertainment. Not all movies explore the spiritual potential in humankind. But this movie lends itself to that subject matter and it missed the boat by a long shot.
Neil Burger's directing was stellar in Limitless the movie, and the acting was good for the most part, as well. The plot of Limitless was rather chaotic with unnecessary and unresolved subplots. Perhaps there was a method to the madness: perhaps it was an effort to make the audience feel like it was on the drug along with the main character, Eddie Morra.
Missed Opportunities in Limitless, the Movie
Why weren't spiritual capabilities, insights or psychic powers explored in the movie? At the very least, Eddie Morra (Bradley Cooper of the 2009 movie, The Hangover) would have accessed the additional rods and cones in his brain to see others' auras, as well as greater activation of the pineal gland. His third eye would have been completely blown wide open, for insights in addition to simply increased learning and intelligence. Wouldn't he even be able to read others' thoughts with increased psychic powers?
Why was his ambition only limited to conquering the stock market and running for President? What good is ruling the world, if all is an illusion? His increased brainpower would have given him a more creative ambition, one would think, especially given that he is a creative fiction writer. Even Fight Club's ending was more thrilling and imaginative than this movie.
Eddie Morra's rise to fame and fortune was limited only to the United States. Why didn't the film show him moving in more international circles of power? Yes, he traveled with his new friends to an exclusive, posh international beach (filmed in Mexico), but that was only for recreation and social fun.
The Ending of Limitless, the Movie Leaves Questions: Some Good, Some Bad
(Spoiler alert) The ending of Limitless leaves one to wonder if Eddie Morra is really off the drug or not. Did he work out the kinks in the drug so that he doesn't have to take them any more or only has to take them very infrequently? Did he increase the effects of the drug so that he becomes smarter and more intuitive, as is evidenced in the last scene he does with Carl Van Loon (Robert De Niro)?
Will there be a sequel to Limitless? Or, perhaps the more important question is this: "Will I go see a sequel to the movie if they make one?" The answer to that, at least for me, is "no," not unless they explore more ambition outside the box of the financial and power matrix.
We are only limited by our own imagination. Our imagination is only limited by the amount of brain power that we access. Obviously, the ambition and intelligence are limited by the creators of the film, not the main character himself in the film.
Limitless, the Movie:
Running Time: 1 hr 45 mins
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: March 18, 2011
by Relativity Media/Rogue Movies
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