Rajaton

A watchable film with entertaining formal tricks, but the script has a lot of problems. I was very annoyed by the main character behaving like an asshole all the time (and even more with the smart pill). Of course that made up drug can work in any way the creators see fit, so it’s pointless to look for any logic in its effect, but it still prevented me from fully enjoying the film. And either I didn’t understand its meaning, or the ending is utterly stupid. (21.05.2011)

Limitless grows more stupid as the screenwriter runs out of pills. The idea on which the film is based is used skilfully at first and Burger succeeds in filling the holes in the logic (and in the chosen form of the narrative) with a boatload of optical effects. As the minutes pile up, the very simple initial situation begins to show signs of wearing thin until the people behind the camera seriously have no idea what else they can squeeze out of it (in the climax, they basically take a blind shot in the dark), at which point the film ends. The underused potential of the central premise is revealed by the cautious stab at politics just before the closing credits roll. If the plot had unfolded in this direction from the beginning, without the cheap subplot involving an Eastern European taxidermist desperately passed off as the main plot, Neil could have given us a nicely biting satire for our hour and forty minutes instead of another toothless thriller. 60% (26.03.2013)

“I know you’re not stupid, but don’t make the classic smart person’s mistake of thinking no one’s smarter than you.” You’ll go to see Limitless as an inconspicuous, dime-a-dozen March thriller that couldn’t afford a bigger star than Bradley Cooper, and you will get a fresh chill-out movie with good dialogue and an innovative script and visual ideas (Google Streetview guys have a lot to improve) and above all a great Cooper, who is able to single-handedly act as the driving force behind a thrilling feature film. Moreover, if you find yourself having a soft spot for a young version of Nicole Kidman named Abbie Cornish, this is a perfect movie for you. (23.03.2011)

With Limitless, I was torn between giving it three or four stars. What pushed me to go with four was the fact that the film has a really intriguing concept, solid pacing, and a likable cast—plus, Robert De Niro never disappoints. That said, the ending felt like yet another typical Hollywood wrap-up, which was a bit frustrating. (16.01.2012)

I wouldn't have expected such stylish and inventive entertainment from the author of the schematic The Illusionist. And in the case of Bradley Cooper, all I can say is that he has worked his way up from an extremely unlikable jock in Wedding Crashers to a dependable lead. Charisma combined with acting talent, I have no fear for Bradley’s future. (27.07.2011)