The Film
Smart, stylish and sexy are all labels we could comfortably put on Bradley Cooper. Lucky for him, they also apply to his film, Limitless, proving that the guy doesn't need the Wolf Pack to make a good movie.
Cooper plays Eddie Morra, a blocked writer with a girlfriend (Abbie Cornish) whose had enough of his uninspired antics. Luckily, his ex-brother-in-law (Johnny Whitworth) has just the thing to boost Eddie's spirits and his productivity: NZT, a little clear pill that can unlock the 80 percent of your brain that's not being used. Within one dose, Eddie is hooked and off on a wild ride, which includes lavish trips, hot chicks, and an all-business Robert De Niro. However, this long and often-strange trip is about to get scary, thanks to random blackouts and a slew of bad guys.
Cooper plays the douche card well, and actually has the rare talent of making his douchey-ness likeable. It certainly doesn't hurt that he's easy on the eyes. Even better though, he can actually act. It's a good thing, too, because despite a cast list that includes De Niro, Cornish, and an uglied-up Anna Friel, this is Cooper's movie.
Want to meet a man that's smarter than the average NZT user? Check out Joe Lozito's theatrical review of Limitless.
The Picture
Like the film, this 2.40:1 transfer is sharp and a lot of fun. Pre-NZT, Eddie's world is slightly dark, filled with lots of dingy colors. Of course, this is intentional. Once the meds kick in, so does this film's image. The detail is nothing short of amazing, and includes a lot of interesting close-up shots. There is a whole lot of eye candy, which include inky blacks and gorgeous colors to display Eddie's enhanced surroundings. Cooper himself even gets a bit of a makeover, including a more lifelike color and eyes so blue, we can't imagine that they aren't CGI-enhanced.
The Sound
Limitless starts off with pounding bass, so you know that the DTS-HD Master Audio track is going to take you for a wild ride. From there, this film offers up a lot for the soundfield. There are a lot of effects to bring the viewer into Eddie's world. However, even with so much going on (including a well-placed soundtrack), the film never distracts from the dialogue, which is displayed well here.
The Extras
The entire Limitless package is like a Blu-ray on NZT. That's why this collection of extras seems like such a downer. What Fox has included isn't horrible, but just sort of a letdown. There's an alternate ending and two short promo pieces. The package's one saving grace is the audio commentary with director Neil Burger. It's not terribly exciting, and it would have been nice to hear Bradley Cooper discuss this breakout role. However, there are still lots of interesting tidbits about the production.
Final Thoughts
They don't give a guy the role of Face (from The A-Team) for nothing. Bradley Cooper is certainly a looker. Fortunately, he can also act. Limitless shows off that charisma in very cool way. Even without the other 80 percent of your brain, this film should keep you completely focused for the full 105 minutes. The extras are a bit predictable, but everything else in this set should surprise you. The film and the audio/video presentation make Limitless a must-have.
Product Details
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