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Solaris (2002)
Too silly
This movie starts out interesting, but pretty soon it becomes silly, and much more fantasy than sci-fi. The acting is so-so. The script is often stupid/awkward, but sometimes poetic (in a good way). The characters aren't introduced much, and seem unfamiliar and hard to associate with. The movie generally doesn't evoke much emotion, except a few times, mostly because it so often induces disbelief. Certain camera shots (like seeing a character's face) feel unnecessarily long without adding substance, and at the same time, some story aspects are underdeveloped.
There is no explanation for how clones of specific dead humans, with their memories, appear out of nowhere. The crew members are certain, by unknown reasons, that it's the planet below that creates them. Of course. And they are not unusually perplexed, amazed or in disbelief. The whole movie feels shallow because of this unrealism. It would have been potentially interesting to learn more about the planet Solaris.
Also, more could have been done out of the main character's approach to Solaris. More emotion.
At one point the characters discuss how the "visitors" are built. One of the crew members comes up with what is supposed to be a wild guess, the other one programs a particle accelerator (how come they have one on the ship to begin with?) based on that guess, and it just happens to be correct. And again, no questions asked and no explanations. There are multiple such ignored bits in this movie.
The mentioned physics is bad too. Bosons do not have anti-particles, and the Higgs field gives *everything* mass, and exists everywhere. Although the Higgs was not yet experimentally confirmed by the time this movie was made, this has been theorised for some time. It would only take a simple internet search.
However, the movie has some good aspects too. The visuals are beautiful. There is some really aesthetic lightning and scenery. The planet Solaris looks fascinating, and there are some nice shots of it. There are a few good story elements about love and regret, and the occasional emotional atmosphere. Background music is fitting.
Limitless (2011)
Logically flawed, but good nonetheless
For its severe logical flaws and plot contrivances, this movie was quite good. It was entertaining, thrilling and interesting. The idea behind the story was intriguing. The acting and the editing were good. The visuals were great, fitting very well with the emotions and events in the story. There were also some cool fractal zoom effects.
Some notable negative points with the story:
SPOILERS!
If Eddie was quintupling his money every day and winning in card games, he could earn enough in a few days to not need a loan from the Russians. This makes the subplot with the Russians contrived.
It was never revealed who leaked the info about the merge, which gives the impression something potentially important is unanswered. (It is explained in the book it's based on as happening due to van Loon calling some people to cancel appointments, mentioning Atwood. From this, rumours started.)
The character who worked for Atwood, who chased Eddie and his girlfriend for the NZT and casually killed some people in the park, was never explained and thus seemed unrealistic and unnecessary. How did he find Eddie? How did he know the girlfriend had the stash?
The subplot about Atwood stealing Eddie's stash via his lawyer was based on far-out coincidences that Atwood couldn't predict.
Eddie couldn't have gotten a full dose from drinking the Russian's blood, even if he drank all he could realistically drink in the given situation. The effects should therefore have been significantly weaker. The story made no point of this though.
An ingested drug would take at least 15 minutes to work, not 30 s.
SPOILERS END.
Nevertheless, the movie was very enjoyable still. It is just a shame that it fell short logically, because it could have been great.
Also, we use all of our brain, not just 20%. It's a myth we only use a small portion. However, intelligence-enhancing drugs could still be theoretically possible.