Lucy Review

RYAN: This is the new sic fi actioner starring Scarlett Johansson, written and directed by Luc Besson who has a reputation for intense action, but he’s hit or miss.  I really liked this movie because it’s surprisingly deep and so profound. It does something a lot of movies don’t do – it educates while entertaining, or at least enlightens.  It goes for the doozey of all questions: What’s the meaning of life?  No movie and no one can answer that, but I love the speculation.

KIM: It’s true.  This movie tackles a lot.  I love ScarJo.  She’s a bad ass.  I really did like this movie and was on the edge of my seat for most of it, but it’s just a lot to take in because I also didn’t expect it to be so deep.  I don’t think the premise of humans only using 10 percent of their brain is a bit generalized here but it’s a movie, so you have to go along with the suspension of disbelief.  But it is interesting and scary to find out what would happen if we could use it all.

RYAN: And that’s where the science fiction comes in because I doubt we’d be able to instantly grow and change our hair color, control other people and all the rest.  But those are some of the fun moments and effects in the film.  ScarJo does a really great job.  She conveys the full arc of her character’s story, going on quite a journey and transition.  Many actors can cry on cue but to be able to break into a sweat on cue is rather impressive.

KIM: I always thought she was pretty but she has really gotten better over the years.  And Morgan Freeman is always solid.  He doesn’t have as big of a role in this as she does.  But his role is pivotal.

RYAN: Morgan’s role could have been so boring and dry as he’s lecturing as a professor, but he was very engaging as a speaker.  It’s cool how this movie unfolds.  There are two different characters who are living different stories that relate and they eventually intersect; but I love the editing in this movie.  All the clips of nature and environment and evolution that illustrate the points he’s making and what Scarlett is experiencing.    I love the juxtaposition of all of those things.  There’s a thin line between the action and reaction, the themes, the implicaitons, messages, and representations… all of it, everything so complex but all related.  It’s more than you bargain for in the audience.  Sometimes you just watch a movie, throw down some popcorn; but this one forces you to think.

KIM: It would be difficult to watch this movie and solely be entertained by the action in this film.  You’re entertainment but it does make you think about evolution and how animalistic we all are.  We all have those modes and it’s all part of us and nature and we’re all energy.

RYAN: Right.

KIM: It’s all matter and energy and you never know if we could gain the ability to control those things.  It’s interesting to think and talk about.

RYAN: The ripples of effect for everything are there and the answer to this big question this movie poses is in there too and I just kind of love all of that science.  And it’s spiritual without being using any kind of religion.  It doesn’t’ go into the debate of science versus religion like Contact did but it doesn’t really get too far into the spiritual.  It’s all about the humanity.

KIM: There’s so much more we could talk about that happens when she uses more of her brain but we can’t do spoilers.

RYAN: Yes there’s a lot to talk about what progresses and what it all means and it’s a really smart script that it goes the full distance.  I really appreciate that.  If it’s like what happens in this movie, I don’t know if I’d want to be able to use 100 percent of the brain.

KIM: The ultimate message is cool but kind of sad.

RYAN: You’re right.  But there are some great messages in this movie.  I almost want to see it again to let more of it sink in.  This movie is heavy on the science so it’s not for everyone.  But if you love sci fi and want to go for the ride this movie takes you on and then dissect it all after, this is great.  It’s quirky and deep and quick at 90 minutes.

KIM: I’m happy this movie makes you want to think about life and the world around us.

Thanks For Viewing The Lucy Review