Entertaining, funny

Rating: Null/10 (21 August 2011)

** SPOILERS BELOW **
I like the idea, as Vernon implied ("NZT works better if you're already smart"), that Eddy was somewhat smart without NZT. Eddy studied in a university, his Ex and girlfriends were smart. He figured out that in Vern's immaculate stove might be where Vern hid his stash when the cops were on the way (tho it was dumb to call them before looking).
"Limitless" is a light fiction thriller, with large doses of comedy, and is not a Sci-Fi film, per se, so I don't see the need to have empirical proof of the basic premise of the film -- we only access 10% of our brains -- any more than one would dismiss out of hand all films involving time travel because most present-day time travel concepts are based on negative matter.
There are more standard plot flaws than "science" flaws:
 Who'd ever give a perennially writer-blocked writer an advance?  Why did the NZT stashes never deplete?  And how does accessing memory cells enhance physical performance?  Just remembering a few Bruce Lee moves will empower you to beat up six big attackers?
And his gaining superb numbers skills was a stretch too. What, Eddy, in a half-ass foray into liberal arts, suddenly has brain cells from which to harvest fast, intense skills needed to glance at multiple numbers and project stock trends at the trader level? During what part of his artsy, writing career was this part of his brain cultivated? And why does the rising star trader Eddy need to borrow a mere $100 thousand? And from tough, Russian mobsters? And then forget to repay it?
And if Van Loon's competitor had already been using NZT, wouldn't he have already outfoxed Van Loon before running out of his supply?
I would have liked a more credible ending than the "altered synapses" explanation of Eddy's still possessing remnants of NZT, with its "bugs" worked out. As one commercial critic wrote, the ending itself could have used a little NZT.
At this crucial point in the twist, we're wondering if Eddy's still using NZT. Then his Super Vision and crystal ball spots a texting driver who will cause a collision, and he also accesses portions in his memory that taught him to make a clinical internal medicine diagnosis, based on grabbing DeNiro's gut. I've seen too many B-grade flicks with DeNiro underutilized in almost tongue-in-cheek roles to expect miracles or credibility in most of them anyhow. But I thought DeNiro was as funny and likable as usual.
Though a sort of Just Say No subtext grated, I enjoyed Old Sage Deniro's lecture about Designer Smarts not being equal to time in the trenches in the grander scheme of the corporate arena.
The plot flaws didn't bother me -- least of all the "10% myth." And despite this films many other flaws, I was entertained. And intrigued about the notion of getting laid through super-smarts. One of the funnier parts (and high points in the film for me) was Eddy sweet-talking the landlord's bitchy but comely wife Valerie into the sack. We men can dream!
I enjoy the Jason Bourne spy-type of rapid assimilation skills -- Matt Damon, 30 seconds after entering a diner, has assessed the weight and fighting prowess of everyone in the diner -- and whether they have weapons.
I'd like to see a serious film based on the same premise. Ah, but isn't it nice to dream in the current economy?