If you’re a guy, there’s a good chance you’ve seen a good deal of fighting over the course of your life. While it may seem like a barbaric and outdated tradition to some of the more politically correct members of our society , there will always be the primal urge to punch someone in the face. The new movie Real Steel hopes to harness some of that violent aggression and take it out on inanimate robots.
Boxing, Kung-Fu, wrestling, and even arm wrestling have all been portrayed by Hollywood in thousands of different movies. The video game industry has also gotten its fair share of movies with the likes of Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter receiving less than stellar big screen adaptations. Real Steel hopes to blend a thousand different things together from the Hollywood and video game landscape. It is a robot fighting movie that looks like Transformers but has a cool wrestling ring straight from the set of Battlebots.
Hugh Jackman is no stranger to fighting in some of his most famous movie roles. Most people think of his name as synonymous with the Wolverine character from the X-Men franchise. In the movie he plays a role that is quite the opposite of the surly mutant. Jackman portrays a down and out ex-boxer who is trying to impress his son, but gets beat up. When his son figures out how to let robots do the fighting for him, he takes to the ring against several underground challengers to impress his son.
This new movie will be so easy to adapt to video game systems that I’m surprised it isn’t available already. Just like the robot fighting anime game Gundam was popular for early generation systems, I can picture Real Steel being the new standard for next generation ones. Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 have their live network systems which would allow people to create their own robots to battle against each other in real time. Jump games has already released a mobile version of the video game in the Android Market which runs seamlessly with the new Samsung galaxy s2 cell phone.
Ultimately, this movie looks like something that would be really cool to see at a theater in 3D, but then never again. It is a good movie to take the kids to see and will probably sell a fair share of DVD’s and Blu Ray’s when the parents of sixth grade boys get the kids together with a bunch of sugary drinks and junk food.

The Bavarian automaker, BMW, and the Mission Impossible crew have teamed up to deliver a hi-tech and eco-friendly installment of the famous franchise – Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol – set to hit theaters in December.

Along with the already-established-Mission Impossible-star Tom Cruise, who plays the role of the franchise’s hero Ethan Hunt, the cast of the latest Mission movie includes other Hollywood heavy names such as Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton and Tom Wilkinson; however, the one name that has the major impact on the audience and car fanatics world-wide is the BMW 6-Series Convertible and Vision Efficient Dynamics concept vehicle.

As the Kremlin gets bombed, Ethan Hunt will have at his disposal the great electrical hottie with a futuristic design to move around and capture the terrorists – the BMW VED full-hybrid plug-in, which in concept form gets roughly 63 miles to the gallon, with a 3-cylinder 1.5-liter turbodiesel engine and an electric motor situated on each axle, generating 351HP and 590 lb.-ft (800 Nm) of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, and can hit a top speed of 155 mph, while averaging 63 mpg (3.7 liters / 100 km). On electric mode, the car can be driven for up to 31 miles. It has regenerative braking capacity to recharge the 98 lithium-polymer batteries, and a thermoelectric generator for the on-board power supply. Importantly enough, this concept previews the i8 model which will be launched in 2014.

Here’s an excerpt of the press release issued by the automaker (June 6, 2011):

Back in Hollywood. BMW is pleased to announce their participation in the upcoming Paramount Pictures release Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol as the film’s main automotive partner.

High performance with fewer emissions is the name of the game: One of the BMW vehicles provided for Tom Cruise´s next film is the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car. It has been recognized as having the most sophisticated technology and the most striking design among the current concept electric supercars. In a few years the BMW i8, which was inspired by the BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics concept vehicle, will enter series production.

“We are thrilled to be involved again in another Hollywood Blockbuster,” said Ian Robertson, BMW AG Board Member for Sales and Marketing. “The BMW Group leads the way in developing future mobility with a focus on sustainability. One great example is the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car which will be presented in the film. With its futuristic design and large glass surfaces, the car offers a fascinating perspective on the future of sheer driving pleasure – in combination with maximum efficiency. Also with BMW ConnectedDrive technology, it is the perfect car for Ethan Hunt to outsmart his pursuers through narrow streets and busy city traffic.”

If you’re a huge Transformers fan and Bumblebee is your favorite Autobot than this news will surely please you: General Motors released yesterday (June 27) the 2012 Transformers Special Edition Chevrolet Camaro Coupe, celebrating the car’s return to the Transformers movies – the third installment, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, which opens in the United States today and worldwide on June 29.

“The Transformers franchise has helped introduce Camaro – and Chevrolet – to a whole new generation of fans,” said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “Its role in the films helped make the Camaro the best-selling sports car in America and one of the best-known cars of any kind around the world.”

The 2012 Transformers Camaro will feature black rally stripes that stretch over the hood, roof, decklid and unique high-wing rear spoiler; 20-inch, black-painted wheels wrapped in high-performance summer tires; and Autobot Shield logos on the center caps and front quarter panels. The interior also incorporates the Transformers’ Bumblebee theme, boasting black leather surfaces contrasted with yellow stitching on the instrument panel, center console, armrests and seats; Autobot Shield logos are embroidered on the front headrests, as well as the center console lid.

According to General Motors, the 2012 Transformers Special Edition will be available as a $3,000 package on 2LT and 2SS Camaro Coupes with Rally Yellow paint and Bumblebee fans in the United States, Canada, China, Japan, Europe, South America, and the Middle East can start ordering as of 1^st of July 2011. Vehicles are expected to arrive at dealers in the U.S. and Canada in September, surely much to the content of the US and Canadian Transformers junkies.

Now, turning our attention towards the much anticipated blockbuster – starring Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, and new addition Rosie Huntington-Whiteley –, we might assume all of you Transformers fans will barge into the theaters to see some amazing 3D action sequences, not only the well-known robots fights, but also guys in wing-suits jumping from a skyscraper and gliding over Chicago – an action bit that has never been done before in films, according to the film’s director Michael Bay. You’ll also see the Bumblebee in action. Too bad that the real thing – the Chevy Camaro 2012 Transformers Special Edition – can’t pull off those stunts!

Here’s the movie trailer, just to have a glimpse at what to expect from both the movie and the Bumblebee Chevy Camaro. Although we’re pretty sure you haven’t missed it…

What flick did you go and see this weekend? We bet it was The Hangover: Part II. How do we know? Well, as it turns out, the most anticipated comedy and sequel of the summer, released on May 26, grossed $86.5 million for the three-day weekend, which makes the movie with the highest grossing live-action comedy for a holiday weekend, and a total $118.1 million in its first four days after being released, being the second-biggest R-rated opener of all-time, behind The Matrix Reloaded; importantly enough it is expected to register a staggering five-day – including the Memorial Day – $138.1 million, setting a new benchmark for comedies.

This crazy comedy/action flick has had one of the fastest and biggest starts in the film history. And all this despite many mixed to negative reviews. But if you liked the first Hangover it’s only natural to want to see the second one, and to like it as well.

Producers have already warned the fans that the sequel follows pretty much the same story line as the first movie, only this time, the action takes place in the exotic Bangkok, where Stu is about to marry to a Thai beautiful girl, whose dad hates him. So, any impression that the film is actually a remake, starring the same actors, is false, especially since the word “again” is used in almost every scene.

But is The Hangover: Part II funnier than part I? Well, not really. It is, however, darker, grittier, weirder, louder, more shocking, and with more nudity, probably because of the film setting – Bangkok, the most “un-boring” place in the world, according to Zach Galifianakis.

It’s shocking to see what the “Wolfpack”, consisting of Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), and Alan (Zach Galifianakis), is capable of once Alan slips everyone a “forget-all” drug. And with Mr. Chow (Ken Jeong) joining them, the craziness is guaranteed: someone cuts their finger; someone shaves their head; someone gets a face tattoo resembling that of Mike Tyson – who, by the way, has a cameo at the end of the movie – and the same someone gets to have sex with a shemale; someone gets shot in the arm; and someone dies of drug overdose but miraculously revives. Who did what, you may ask? Well, those of you who have seen the movie already know the answer, and those who haven’t yet – what are you waiting for? You won’t get bored for sure!

Now, for all of you, here are some true/fun facts that happened while filming The Hangover: Part II in Bangkok.

1. While exploring Bangkok, to get some shots for the film’s end credits, Bradley Cooper, his castmates and director Todd Phillips visited a local hotspot, where girls showed off some odd talents; but the guys were impressed with one performer in particular. “This one gal was able to eject ping-pong balls at high velocities with amazing accuracy” said Bradley Cooper on Conan O’Brien’s show, days prior to the film’s release. Eager to join in the fun, Cooper asked Todd Phillips to take a photo of him with his mouth open, pretending to catch one of the balls – and amazingly enough, the “gal” proved her aiming skills and shot a ping-pong ball from her “nether” parts right into the actor’s mouth. “(It went) right in my mouth… (There are) Handi Wipes coming out from everywhere, (co-star) Ed Helms is throwing up… It was memorable” added Cooper. Memorable and gross!

Note: pay attention to the end credits photos. Some of them include stills of the “gal” performing.

2. A far more experienced actress, with 17 years of acting in films like Indiana Jones, Night at the Museum, and many more, stole the other actors’ thunder with “her” remarkable performance – Crystal, the monkey. However, none of them could be angry at “her”, the reason being “she”’s too cute. Everybody fell in love with Crystal, but the actor who really seemed to bond with the talented monkey was Bradley Cooper. They even shared a tongue kiss on the set. Well, talk about “love is blind”…

3. While experiencing Bangkok, actor Ed Helms was keen on trying out some Thai food, but, as it turns out, he experienced more than local delicacies – he got food poisoning, either because of unwashed chop sticks, or because of altered condiments. So, if the film convinced you to visit Bangkok, watch out for the food served on the streets.

Although it received a great deal of mixed-to-negative reviews from critics – according to Rotten Tomatoes’ critical consensus, the fourth installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean is “shorter and leaner than the previous sequel, but it runs aground on a disjointed plot and a non-stop barrage of noisy action sequences” –, audiences seem to love it, judging by its opening day (May 20) matinees in the US. Adding the even greater success registered overseas, the producers are hoping that the movie will score the best opening of the year, exceeding the $86.2 million earned by Fast Five.

The new plot focuses on Captain Jack Sparrow’s (Johnny Depp) adventures in search for the Fountain of Youth. As he crosses paths with Angelica (Penelope Cruz), a mysterious Spanish woman from his past, who seems to hold a grudge against him still – no surprise there! –, Sparrow is forced to lead her and her father, Blackbeard, to the Fountain. The rest is all fun pirate action… including some voodoo dolls, zombies, and mermaids.

Even though Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom haven’t made their return to this sequel, their absence isn’t even noticed. Because, let’s face it! Captain Sparrow is really the one everyone wants to see and be amused by. Cruz’ character is a welcomed addition, and the great chemistry and the feud between the two of them, are on the money! The changes made were the changes this film desperately needed. That being said, it seems, more often than not, that the critics’ reviews are meant to harm the film industry. But let’s not return the rotten tomatoes…

Now, if you’re a fan of Captain Sparrow’s and the Pirates franchise, you’re probably interested to learn more about the production of On Stranger Tides. Here are five facts you didn’t know about it:

1.      New Pirates’ star, Oscar-winning actress Penelope Cruz, was pregnant during the production, which meant her outfits had to be altered every three weeks. Interestingly enough, her sister stepped in to replace her in some of the scenes which required extra effort.

2.      The jungle scenes were shot on the site of what used to be the Coco Palms Hotel – the former resort where Elvis Presley filmed Blue Hawaii in 1961. The coconuts from 773 palms were harvested so that they would not fall and hurt anyone from the cast and crew. The coconuts were donated to the locals.

3.      Most of the film was shot in Hawaii, unlike the previous three installments, which were shot in the Caribbean. For the first day of shooting, which took place on the protected Honopu Beach on the island of Kauai, Johnny Depp was dropped off in full costume and makeup by a helicopter because there are no roads to the beach, and boats aren’t allowed to dock there.

4.      Astrid Berges-Frisbey, who plays the mermaid Syrena, was not permitted to sunbathe, not even on her days off in Hawaii, because she had to maintain her skin pale for the character she had to portray.

5.      Regarding the characters in he film that actually existed and are prominent historical figures – Blackbeard, King George II, and Prime Minister Pelham – , the script doesn’t stick to the historical record: Blackbeard was killed off the coast of North Carolina in 1718, nine years before King George II took the throne, and 25 years before Henry Pelham became Prime Minister.

[Source]

Paramount’s 3D superhero flick Thor stood strong on top of the American box office, for two weeks in a row, heavily “hammering” all premieres that took place during that time, and registering a staggering total of $119.2 million. But that doesn’t really come as a surprise, since all films about Marvel Comics heroes have enjoyed great success, and now it’s Thor’s – the hammer-wielding god of thunder – time, at least until the next Marvel superhero gets its own movie in cinemas in July 2011 (Captain America: The First Avenger).

Starring pumped-up 6-foot-3-tall Aussie actor, Chris Hemsworth, who gives Thor – the mighty god of thunder from the Norse mythology – his lusty Viking charm, and Oscar-winning actors Natalie Portman and Anthony Hopkins, the film was amazingly well-received by critics and by the audience, as well, as it gathers all the successful ingredients to a summer blockbuster – thrilling effects, lots of testosterone and intense fights, a dash of humor and a bit of romance.

The film opens with a scene in New Mexico, where astrophysicist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and her team – Dr. Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard) and sidekick Darcy (Kat Dennings) – witness Thor’s unusual arrival/fall from the sky on Earth. Then, we’re immediately pulled back in time and space to the fantastical world of the kingdom of Asgard, led by Odin (Anthony Hopkins), the ruler of the nine realms of the Universe and father of Thor and Loki. His voice fills in decades of back story, presenting the war and truce between his people and the Frost Giants of Jotunheim. Again, we travel through time to the moment where Thor is about to inherit the throne from an aged Odin, when an unexpected incursion by the Frost Giants disrupts the coronation. Hot-tempered Thor decides to teach them a lesson without his father’s consent, but things only get worse and the peace and stability of the Universe are threatened. Enraged Odin accuses Thor of betrayal, strips him of his powers, and banishes him to Earth with the task of proving himself worthy of wielding his magical hammer Mjolnir again. Loki, who will later reveal his grievous plans, is now next in line to the throne.

Back on Earth, while Thor is trying to cope with his mortality and to find his hammer, helped by Jane and her team, a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent from the two Iron Man films (Clark Gregg) tries to get to the bottom of his appearance. Further on, we’re served some amazing epic scenes in which Thor has to save the humans and the kingdom of Asgard from the evil forces that would destroy them.

The film is really well-written and Chris Hemsworth in the character of Thor is surprisingly convincing. Somehow he manages to keep all eyes glued to his stature and muscles, charming ladies and gents altogether, but for different reasons obviously…This Marvel character has opened the road towards immense success for the 27-year-old actor.

Thor, however, isn’t the only Avenger making his way to cinemas this year, as we’ve already mentioned before. Captain America: The First Avenger is Marvel’s next production, starring Chris Evans as the WWII veteran enhanced to human perfection by an experimental serum. This upcoming film only adds to the teaser campaign laid out for the most anticipated superhero flick since last year: The Avengers (2012) featuring the some of Marvel’s top superheroes: Iron Man, The Hulk, Thor, Captain America, and Hawkeye, to name a few. The film is really going to be epic! And given the fact that the super villain Loki, brother of Thor (not by blood), will return as well, Thor, the movie, seems to be a highly teasing prequel to The Avengers.

Have a look at the cast of The Avengers: Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man; Chris Hemsworth as Thor; Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/The Hulk; Chris Evans as Captain America; Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury; Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow; Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye; Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill; Clark Gregg as Agent Coulson; Tom Hiddleston as Loki; and Stellan Skarsgård as Erik Selvig.

Now, we all know the Avengers from comics, and we’ve already seen some of them in human shape on the big screen. Surely, we all thought of who’s the coolest one at least once… But which one’s the coolest? After seeing Thor we’re definitely inclined to say the Norse God of Thunder. Biased? Sure, you could say that. But he’s the only one with the cape!

Here’s our top three coolest superheros, so far. Well, we might change our mind in the near future…

1. THOR
2. CAPTAIN AMERICA
3. IRON MAN

Which one do YOU think is the coolest?

The much acclaimed first 2011 summer blockbuster is finally here! The fifth installment of The Fast and the Furious franchise, featuring Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, returning cast members Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Matt Schulze, Sung Kang, and new addition Dwayne Johnson, is as of today (April 29) in the U.S. theaters as well. Considering the success it has already registered in Australia, U.K., New Zealand and South Korea over its debut weekend (April 22-24), questioning its power to attract large audiences is useless.
The film begins where the last installment ended: Brian (Walker) and Mia (Brewster) free Dom (Diesel) from a bus transporting him to prison, and they head off to South America. Hiding in Rio de Janeiro, they enroll in another heist which puts them at odds with Hernan Reyes (Joaquim de Almeida), a corrupt Brazilian businessman and drug dealer. Meanwhile, federal agent Luke Hobbs (Johnson) gets on their trail, determined to capture them. Trying to escape both parties, Dom assembles a team of fast racers – more of a family/friends reunion – to do one last job. This turns into a full-speed car chase around Rio’s streets and favelas.

To get an idea of how thrillingly crazy the action – adorned with hot cars – is, have a look at this clip:

Now, a logical question arises: could two muscle cars really pull off such a scheme? The experts’ opinion: negative! However, the scene makes for great cinema, so we’ll just let it pass…

But, let’s face it! It’s not the thrilling – sometimes flawed action schemes – nor the brilliant – not so much! – acting that attracts the audience to the cinema, but the badass fast cars that are featured in the film, and that will surely make everyone drool over them this summer.

Dennis McCarthy, the car coordinator for Tokyo Drift and Fast and Furious, has revealed in a previous statement the 21 cars featured in Fast Five: 1963 Ford Galaxy, 1966 Ford GT40, 1966 Corvette Grand Sport, 1967 International Scout, 1970 Charger, 1970 Ford Maverick, 1972 Nissan Skyline, 1972 Pantera Detomaso, 1996 Toyota Supra, 2002 Porsche GT3, 2006 GMC 2500 Yukon, 2009 Nissan 370Z, 2010 Dodge Challenger, 2010 Subaru STi, 2010 Lexus LFA, 2010 Modified Vault Chargers, 2011 Dodge Charger Police Interceptor, Gurkha LAPV, Ducati Street Racer, Train Heist Truck, Koenigsegg CCX.

Out of all these hotties, our TOP FIVE FAVORITES are:

1. 2002 Porsche GT3

2. Koenigsegg CCX

3. 2010 Lexus LF-A

4. 1966 Ford GT40

5. 1966 Corvette Grand Sport

It’s got action, testosterone, strong women, drop-dead gorgeous cars aaaand Rio de Janeiro, which seems to be a recurrent theme for the successful movies this year. What more do you want? Just go see it! But until then, tell us: what’s your TOP FIVE FAVES?

Here are some photos from the movie set of the cars featured in Fast Five.

P.S. Other good news: Fast Six is already in the works!

It seems that April is the month of animated movies, as the American box-office has yet again been conquered by a kid-friendly movie. Released on April 15, 20th Century Fox’s Rio registered an estimated $40 million, greatly exceeding expectations, and having the best weekend opening of the year so far.

From the creators of the Ice Age trilogy, Rio is a fun and colorful adventure comedy, engaging the audience to take part in the 3D action, on Samba rhythms, and starring big names like Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, Leslie Mann, George Lopez, Jamie Foxx, Will.i.am, Tracy Morgan, Wanda Sykes, and Jermaine Clement.

The movie tells the story of Blu (Eisenberg), a domesticated nerdy macaw who doesn’t know how to fly, and lives with his best friend and owner, Linda (Mann), in the small town of Moose Lake, Minnesota. When Linda finds out that Blu isn’t the last of his kind, as there is another one in Rio de Janeiro – an independent and street-wise female macaw named Jewel (Hathaway) –, she takes Blu to meet his mate. After being left alone to get to know each other better, the two birds get stolen by a group of animal smugglers, but they manage to get away. And so the adventure begins. Blu and Jewel make lots of new amazing friends while trying to find Linda; they are tracked down by the villains and finally, Blu learns how to fly, constrained by having to save Jewel. And with all the action taking place around and during the Carnival of Rio de Janeiro, fun and entertainment are secured.

Although the imagery is fantastic – including the city details of Rio de Janeiro –  and the music is spot-on – with some musical numbers performed by Jamie Foxx and Will.i.am – the film gets a bit busy with all the colorful characters popping out one after another: Nigel, the cannibalistic bird, Rafael, the hopeless romantic bird and former king of Carnival, Nico and Pedro, the singing birds, Luiz, the slobbering bulldog, the stealing and cheating monkeys, and so on. Also, while the idea of the movie is brilliant, it wasn’t exploited to its full entertainment value, and the witty jokes are somewhat tamed and stuck beneath a “safe” borderline.

Nevertheless, Rio has been more than well-received by the audience and, surprisingly enough, by the critics who praised it for its “its stunning iridescent look and infectious music” (USA Today), “staggeringly ingenious bits of action business” (MSN Movies), “just a good time and a pleasurable escape” (Associated Press). Movieguide.com even went on to state that Rio is “a funny, action-filled animated comedy for older children, teenagers and adults, with fun characters, enjoyable twists and turns, and a mostly positive moral, redemptive worldview stressing heroism, friendship, sacrifice, and courage.” However… let’s not get carried away with the praises!

All in all, Rio is well-worth seeing, if not for the action and jokes, then definitely for its colors, catchy songs and music score.

Related articles

• Movie Review | ‘Rio’: Macaw Finds His Wings, and Much More, in Brazil (movies.nytimes.com)
• MOVIE REVUE: Rio Reaches for Great Heights (therogersrevue.wordpress.com)

The reason? Well, Universal’s Hop, starring Russell Brand (voice), James Marsden, and Kaley Cuoco, had its premiere on Friday, April 1^st, and it turned out to be just the movie the company advertised: fun, engaging, essentially original, and no 3D! And the stellar -A CinemaScore, as well as the unexpected debut at the domestic box office – having cost $63 million to produce, the film registered an estimated $11.4 million on Friday, and an overall estimated $38.1 million on its first weekend – are valid proof of its success.

The basic idea of the hybrid film, combining live action and digital animation, is original in that there has never been a movie focusing on the Easter Bunny alone. However, the storyline contains several elements that are not that original, reminding the viewers of the Santa Claus myth and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory epic and visuals.

The story is simple: the Easter Bunny (Hugh Laurie) wants leave his kingdom and pass on the family business to his son, E.B (Russell Brand). The latter, however, has another plan, more like a dream: he wants to become the best drummer in the world. He’s talented, he’s got drive, what’s he to do next? Flee to Hollywood to fulfill his destiny! After trying to check in the Playboy Mansion – an honest mistake! – he meets Fred who’s house sitting, then lands a spot on a talent search TV show, hosted by David Hasselhoff himself, while Fred becomes more and more interested in the Easter Bunny job.

As the film mainly focuses on the Easter Bunny and his job, it is quite inevitable to ask ourselves why does a bunny have to deliver the Easter candy to children, and not a chicken? The same question is asked by Carlos (Hank Azaria), an angry chick with Latin American accent – the Easter Bunny’s right-hand who wants to get over the Easter Bunny business. Hank Azaria does yet another fantastic job in voicing an ever entertaining animated character, as he did years ago with Anastasia’s white bat Bartok.

Carlos and his most faithful minion, Phil, are two key characters in delivering fun long-lasting lines. They are much like the renowned Pinky and the Brain – Carlos being a meaner version of the Brain, and Phil, a jollier version of Pinky – the fact that he’s constantly dancing says it all! Here’s a glimpse of their funny performances:

All this said, even if Hop is mainly geared towards children, adults will also thoroughly enjoy it as it contains a lot of wit, masked hints, and well-thought lines. It is well worth seeing, and besides, you’re not really expected to Hop into theatres. Just walk your way confident that you’ll spend 92 minutes watching a genuinely fun and relaxing film, with a high level of – well, we might as well say the word – cuteness.

Related articles

• Cartoon puts “Hop” back into Easter (reuters.com)
• Movie Review: Russell Brand Brings Sugary-Sweet Laughs to Hop (eonline.com)

Bradley Cooper’s new flick, Limitless, also starring Robert DeNiro and Abbie Cornish, came out first in this weekend’s (March 18-20) competition to seize the first spot in the North American box office. Earning an estimated $19 million on its opening weekend, Limitless managed to leave far behind (also) new-comers The Lincoln Lawyer, Matthew McConaughey’s legal thriller, and Paul, Simon Pegg’s sci-fi comedy, each registering $13.4 million and $13.2 million, respectively.

The numbers come as a nice surprise to Relativity Media, as the movie seems to be doing better than they have expected. It was produced on a $27 million budget, but most of the cost has already been covered through foreign presales, which implies that the movie will do great internationally, as well.

Of course, much of its success is based on the logline: “an unsuccessful writer’s life is transformed by a top-secret smart drug that allows him to use 100% of his brain and become a perfect version of himself.”

Writer Eddie Mora (Cooper) is struggling to finish a book for which he already received an advance from his publisher, but hasn’t managed to write a word of it. Adding to his misery, his girlfriend dumps him, and when his ex brother-in-law and drug dealer, Vernon, – whom he accidently meets on the street – offers him NZT 48, a drug that enables people to access 100% of their brains, he reluctantly accepts. In thirty seconds everything becomes not “high”, nor “weird” but “clear”, and everything he had ever learned or read or heard “was organized and available” in his mind. After one day the effect wears off, and so he goes back to Vernon to ask for more, but he finds him dead, and more importantly, he finds a stash of NZT. Now, a new Eddie, with an enhanced brain activity, focused, confident and attractive, is introduced to the audience. He finishes his book in four days, learns to play the piano in three, and learns Italian in a few hours. He decides to change careers, taking Wall-Street by storm, and draws the attention of powerful businessman Carl Van Loon (DeNiro) who needs his help in closing a huge merger. But soon enough the drug’s side-effects kick in, causing him memory losses, and various NZT addicts become very interested in getting hold of his stash, threatening his life.

The film is full of twists and turns and small side-stories which make you wonder if its storyline is actually coherent. Moreover, Eddie’s stash of NZT becomes a character in itself, if not the main character for a great part of the film; one might even wonder: if the stash were a real person, what actor would be best suited to play the role? In any case, Eddie and his stash make the other actors, even DeNiro, seem a bunch of accessories. Also, for a film about a smart drug, Limitless is not so smartly written, and is quite limited (in originality) to the recurrent power-and-money theme swirling around Wall-Street. Nevertheless, the film must be praised for the effect of some mind-boggling scenes – like the one where Eddie drinks the blood of a villain who’s an NZT addict –, and for the visual gimmicks – letters falling from the ceiling while Eddie is writing his novel, the camera zooms skimming the streets of Manhattan, or the upside-down shootings. In addition, the fast-paced action makes it really fun to watch, and the first-person narrative of Eddie Morra grabs the viewers’ attention, allowing them to immerse into the character’s thoughts.

Overall, Limitless is a thriller worthy of its B+ CinemaScore. Without making your grey cells constantly and angrily strive to find hidden meanings, the film is enjoyable and quite engaging, more so since the basic idea of the plot appeals to the dreamer in all of us.

Related articles

• Review of Limitless: Wall Street on Steroids (time.com)
• ‘Limitless’: Five Secrets Revealed (mtv.com)