Review: Lucy

by. Joe Moss
★★★

An existentialist trip with a twist, Luc Besson's "Lucy" easily reminds me why I love his movies. This movie may not be for everyone--like many Besson films--but if you are able to sit through 90 minutes of a scientific/theological discourse on humanity, evolution, the big-bang, the time-space continuum, and Einstein's Theory of Relativity all rolled into one, then you are in the right place. And, when you leave...MIND BLOWN!!

Lucy (Scarlett Johansson) finds herself involved with the wrong guy at the wrong time. He convinces her to take a "briefcase full of papers" to Mr. Jang (Min-Suk Choi) in a posh hotel in an unknown location in South Korea. An easy $500 turns into a nightmare afternoon of kidnap, implantation, and drug overdosing. Lucy is forced to be a mule for a new drug that will blow the minds of kids in Europe. But things get REALLY interesting when the drug implanted in her abdomen begin to leak into her bloodstream.

Simultaneously, as Lucy is getting the high of her life, at a science symposium concerning brain research and theory, Professor Norman (Morgan Freeman) is waxing philosophical on the advances and intrigue of the human brain. He is providing a well balanced theoretical discussion on what the human brain has done evolutionarily, while indicating the shortcomings of our existence compared to other species. The room is abuzz with resounding questions and philosophy fathoming how humanity would handle use of more than 10-15% of their cerebral cortex. Professor Norman feels that the key to truly understanding humanity and the

intricate workings of the mind lie in our ability to surpass 20% --the mark set by dolphins' cerebral usage.

The film is a metaphor for the progression though human life, and what we are supposed to do WITH said life. Why are we here? What is our niche on the planet...the universe....time? We see an innocent babe (Lucy....a beautiful homage to the first complete human-like Australopithicus skeleton uncovered in Ethiopia's Afar Triangle by Donald Johanson and Tom Gray) who is thrust into the evil world and has to learn to adapt and survive. She has been provided with the ultimate knowledge and has unlocked the mysteries of universe with the consumption of the apple (the drug) and is ostensibly thrust from the Garden of Eden to face the horrors of what life has become. Does she wallow in self pity, or does she right the wrongs committed and try and fix what humanity has become. No spoilers, but I will say that by using 100% of the cerebral cortex, Lucy transcends life as we know it and truly BECOMES...omnipotent (maybe not the right word...maybe more universally introspective) in her struggle against the devil (Mr. Jang).

This film never lost my interest. While the plot development is simple, and the characters are few, Luc Besson does an amazing job posing questions that make the audience interact with the film as it plays. There are plenty of the typical humorous moments mixed into to allow the comic relief, but immediately following he makes you THINK. I found myself questioning many things that I felt I have known for years to be true. While I understand that much of what he presents is pure conjecture and maybe even utter BS, it was a fun journey. He is able to provide hidden symbolism throughout the film that now...only hours after I have seen the film...I am beginning to understand. I have had to allow this film to digest in my mind before writing this review. There was not quick write here.

Luc Besson gathered his team of old for this project. He had Thierry Arbogast as the cinematographer (beautiful) and Eric Serra created the hauntingly melodic soundtrack. This trio made this feel like a Luc Besson film of old--innovative plot, great sound and great cinematography. AND the film was produced by Marc Shmuger who was responsible for one of mine and Trevor's top film of last year, The Spectacular Now.

As much as I loved this film, I can see that many may be put off by the subject matter. And I did not give it 4 stars simply because some of the action sequences did feel very Matrix-like in their progression and implementation (Thanks Wachowskis for affording me that adjective). But I hope that many of you will see this film and be reminded of The Fifth Element meets The Big Blue as was I.