Quick Movie Updates

Catching up on some of the newer films I missed in the theaters.  All science fiction this month.

Lucy – (2014) – A woman is tricked into being a drug mule, then exposed to the highly experimental drug.  She begins to access more of her brain and incredible powers over her body.  Eventually, the drug allows her to take the next step in evolution.

Scarlett Johanson and Morgan Freeman are almost enough all by themselves to save a ridiculous script.  But only almost.  A big box office hit. Just can’t get enthused.  The flaws are big.

Rating – ** 1/2 Almost Worth A Look

The Signal – (2014) A trio of MIT students are headed to California when an online nemesis begins to taunt them.  They trace his location to an abandoned house where they are abducted and find themselves in a super secret facility.  In the course of their time there everything, including who they really, are will come into question.

There are probably two, maybe three good movie ideas lost in this mishmash of a movie.  None of them survive a completely illogical script and muddled storyline.  Some B level young stars and Laurence Fishburne.  The effects are pretty cool.

Rating – ** Not Impressed

Divergent –  Society is divided by virtue into factions.  If you don’t fit into a faction you are Divergent and you are kicked out.  A teenaged girl and four other Divergents discover that the social order has decided it’s time to destroy all Divergents.  They begin a journey to discover why.

We’ve got a whole raft of these teenaged, dystopian movies going (Hunger Games, Mazerunner).  This one is quite as flashy as The Hunger Games but delivers a satisfying story punch.  The ending (which sets up the sequel) left me a little cold.  It’s happening often enough these days that’s it’s only annoying.

Rating – *** 1/2  Almost Recommended