Amazon Prime Action Sci-Fi Packs An Intriguing Plot But An Absurd Premise
If you’re a fan of action-packed science fiction, innovative takes on known tropes, or Scarlett Johansson, you’ve likely already heard of the hit 2014 film Lucy. The film, which is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video, offers a fascinating look into the long-debunked idea that humans are only capable of utilizing 10 percent of their brains. While we know this myth to be false, Lucy‘s exploration of tapping into one’s full potential is endlessly enjoyable, providing a fun popcorn blockbuster that you won’t want to miss.
Scarlett Johansson In Lucy
When Lucy first premiered back in 2014, audiences far and wide had already been begging for a Scarlett Johansson-led action film for years due to her breakout success in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Despite not getting a solo Black Widow movie until 2021, Lucy provided the Natasha Romanoff performer with a chance to flex her A-list action skills in a front-and-center performance. The narrative of the movie centers on the naive title character, as she attempts to earn a college degree while studying abroad in Taiwan.
Unlocking Full Brain Potential
The narrative of the film kicks off when Lucy is kidnapped by a gang of thugs associated with her unsavory boyfriend, who attempt to use her body as a vessel to transport drugs across international borders.
In a harrowing sequence, the mobsters sew a pack of a mysterious blue substance into Lucy’s abdomen, only for the bag to burst inside of her before she can make it to the airport. At first, it seems as though Lucy will overdose on this blue substance and die, until it is revealed that the drugs are not street narcotics, but powerful nootropics capable of unlocking greater access to the human brain.
Lucy’s Superpowers
As the drugs flood Lucy’s system, she unlocks 100 percent brain power, and becomes stronger, faster, and more aware of her surroundings. Eventually, she finds herself capable of mind-altering superpowers such as time travel, telekinesis, and more, as foreign gang members continue to go after her, allowing her a chance to test her new abilities by mowing through dozens of nameless villains like a video game protagonist. As the film builds to a thrilling climax, Lucy also confers with an American professor renown for his study of the human brain, who helps her to understand her new abilities.
Based On A Myth
Lucy received mixed reviews from critics upon its release, mostly due to the fact that everyone already knows the 10 percent thing is a baseless myth. Still, if you can get past the absurdity of the initial premise, the film is a ton of fun. Luckily, audiences at large were able to see past the initial flaws as the film took home massive figures at the global box office. Lucy is said to have made $469 million in theaters against an estimated production budget of just $40 million, making it a massive financial hit.
A Secret Trilogy?
REVIEW SCORE
Personally, I like to imagine that Lucy is the second installment in a trilogy that includes 2011’s Limitless and 2013’s Her, as all three films deal with similar themes of mind-altering autonomy. I could explain a bit further, but it would require spoiling the ending of Lucy, so I’ll let you check this one out and see for yourself. Those interested in streaming Lucy can find the film on Amazon Prime Video today.
