I think when Steven Soderbergh made Haywire many thought he may have lost the plot (no pun intended). Perhaps not a great example as Soderbergh is a film-maker who can do whatever he likes. And not necessarily what we always like. I am one of those that enjoyed Haywire. A kick-ass, slick movie, where I did not have to worry too much about the dialogue and the story, but rather soak up the action sequences – which were strikingly good by the way.
Lucy reminded me of this, or least from the point of view of what I would take from this aesthetically. It also reminded me of Tree Of Life when that decided to just drop you from the narrative and take you on a journey through space and time {the comparisons end there with that one}.
It reminded me of Besson’s earlier work too. Of course it did. Anne Parillaud’s Nikita accepting her first task as an assassin, and taking that famous walk to her targets. And Leeloo (Milla Jovovich) from The Fifth Element quickly dispatching of the mangalores. There is even a sense of Leon (The Professional) in it’s one-on-many or complete corridor shoot-out action sequences. I am, though, cheating a little bit, using Besson’s prominently more popular work as examples.
But call it mindless, lacking in a solid plot, too deep with its explanation of the human life and time whatchamacallit, but Lucy is a return to form for the Frenchman. Like Haywire, I may not ever watch this again in it’s entirety, but will certainly be seeking out it’s flashier sequences for repeat viewing.
Before this turns into a review I can’t finish talking about Lucy without mentioning Scarlett Johansson. There, did it.
Her career has been a mixed bag to say the least. A breakthrough as a child in The Horse Whisperer, then further impressive supporting turns in The Man Who Wasn’t There and Ghost World. Proved herself as a definitive leading lady in Lost in Translation, Girl with a Pearl Earring, and A Love Song for Bobby Long. Before turning her attention to the movies of Woody Allen via a couple of box office clunkers / comedy-drama forgettables.
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Thank you for being a voice of reason on this movie. The reaction among critics, especially male internet critics was ridiculous. I would never include Lucy in a list of great or even very good movies, but it was damned entertaining, end of story. I'm sure if I thought about the story for a minute it would fall apart, but I don't care. dozens of entertaining (and not so entertaining) empty movies come and go every year and no one seems to complain, yet they acted like Lucy was breaking some kind of cinematic law. I had fun with it.
I know. I mean I read from a couple of big reviewers {who I admire as reviewers} about how the inter-cutting between Lucy's capture and the animal footage was trying to tell us what was going on, as if a cheap trick. Come on! Either they missed the point or they are just trying to be obnoxious.
Haven't seen it, so can't comment.
I did love Haywire though. And not just because the thought of getting beaten up by Gina Carano gave me a weird boner.