Scarlet Johansson goes all Keanu Reeves

Rating: 8/10 (5 March 2015)

Scarlet Johansson slowly turns into an indestructible force of nature in this stylistic, entertaining if rather implausible Luc Besson helmed actioner that was huge hit in 2014.
Johansson stars as the Lucy of the title, a simple, rather crude young lady who falls afoul of her boyfriend Richard, and ends up being used, against her will as a drug mule. But the drugs she is carrying are no ordinary narcotics, they are CPH4, a synthetic based on a substance given to fetuses to help their prenatal development, and unfortunately, the bag tears and all that drug makes its way into her blood stream.
To explain what all this means, the film takes us to Professor Samuel Norman, played by Morgan Freeman. But he's taking us down the rabbit hole here rather than Through the Wormhole (a fascinating series hosted by Freeman), and explaining that the average human only uses between 10 and 15% of their brain, but they could get all types of wacky superpowers if they are able to use more, which Lucy presumably can or else would they cross to this guy?
Johansson slowly turns into a cross between Keanu Reeves from the Matrix, including his abilities to bend matter, shoot with pin point accuracy, see coding everywhere, and not display a discernible emotion; and Yoda from Revenge of the Sith, complete with wise sayings and the ability to knock a room full of bad guys unconscious with one flick of the hand. Johansson is looking for revenge on Mr Jang, (Chio Min Sik) the man who forced her to carry the drugs, with Drug Enforcement Officer Pierre del Rio (Amr Waked) by her side.
Besson has done a good job with the direction, with the film frequently showing cut scenes to appropriate situations with animals in the wild, cave men and transitional apes, which actually do go somewhere in the film's final act. The special effects are adequate and the action sequences, including gun fights, car chases and hand to hand combat, are well put together.
Johansson is solid in the lead role and puts across a believable detachment, Freeman is good as usual, while Amr Waked, probably the most important character in the film as he acts as a conduit for the audience, gives a well judged performance, though is let down a little bit by his character being under developed in the script.
If you're the type of person who likes plausible science in movies, give this one a miss. However, if you can look past implausible science providing a film makes sense in its own reality, there is a lot to like here. I thoroughly enjoyed this and it is refreshing to see an action film featuring a female lead where her gender is not the focus. A pleasing return to form for Besson.