Lucy (2014)Lucy is a high-concept science fiction action film released in 2014, written and directed by Luc Besson (Léon, The Fifth Element). Scarlett Johansson plays Lucy, an American student in Taipei who is coerced into acting as a drug mule for a Korean crime syndicate led by Mr Jang (Choi Min-sik). When the synthetic drug CPH4 leaks into her system, it begins unlocking increasing percentages of her brain capacity — granting her superhuman intelligence, telekinesis and control over matter itself. The film intercuts Lucy's transformation with lectures by neuroscientist Professor Norman (Morgan Freeman), whose theories about human brain capacity provide the film's philosophical framework. The film grossed over $463 million worldwide on a $40 million budget, making it one of the most profitable films of 2014. Besson directs with his characteristic kinetic energy and visual flair, and Johansson — fresh from her work as Black Widow — brings a compelling physical authority to the role's increasingly inhuman demands.Highlights Scarlett Johansson's performance — A genuinely interesting piece of acting; Johansson charts Lucy's transition from terrified victim to emotionless superintelligence with real precision, and the gradual draining of humanity from her performance as her brain capacity increases is one of the film's most distinctive qualities. Luc Besson's direction — Besson directs with the kinetic confidence of his best work; the Taipei action sequences are crisply staged, the visual effects are inventive and the film moves at a pace that never allows its more questionable science to become a distraction. The opening act — The film's first 20 minutes — Lucy's coercion, the surgery and the initial drug leak — are genuinely tense and effectively staged; Besson intercuts the action with nature documentary footage of predator and prey to striking effect. Morgan Freeman as Professor Norman — Freeman brings his customary authority and warmth to the role; his lecture sequences provide the film's intellectual scaffolding and his eventual meeting with Lucy gives the film's climax its emotional grounding. The escalating concept — Besson commits fully to the film's increasingly outrageous premise; as Lucy's capacity reaches 100% the film abandons conventional narrative logic entirely and delivers a finale of genuine visual ambition that rewards audiences willing to surrender to its internal logic. Disc Details Title: Lucy Year: 2014 Director: Luc Besson Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman, Choi Min-sik, Amr Waked Studio: EuropaCorp / Universal Pictures Certificate: 15 Region: Region B (UK) Format: Blu-ray Runtime: 89 minutes Genre: Science Fiction / Action Barcode: 0191329075166 ConditionCondition: VG/VG — see our Condition Grading Guide.Browse our full range of Blu-ray titles. You might also enjoy our Compact Discs or Vinyl Records.
