Self/Less

This review may contain spoilers!

This is like a very toned down and boring version of Limitless. I would give Self/Less a 6/10.

Within this film the cinematography is really well done; sudden tracks or close ups really show people's perspectives in a very visually powerful way. Furthermore the score of this film is quite retro, it blends well with the film especially in the New Orleans segments. The themes of immortality and what we'd morally be willing to do to survive is quite interesting.

Natalie Martinez, who played Madeline, was really good at playing someone reacting to Reynolds; she's freaked out and quite at the end of wits after learning that her husband isn't who he says he is. Victor Garber, who played Martin, was a very charming yet frantic character; he had some great chemistry with Kingsley but later when he learns the truth about shedding he reacts fantastically. Derek Luke, who played Anton, was quite a fun performance to watch; his cocky attitude was very charming and then the sudden reveal that he was a antagonist was perfect. Jaynee-Lynne Kinchen, who played Anna, was a great child actor; she was quite bubbly and worked really well alongside Reynolds and Martinez.

However the best performance for this film came from Ryan Reynolds, who played Young Damian. Reynolds really is quite a comedic role, he banters with various characters exceptionally. When first we're shown Reynolds as Damian there's a really powerful performance where we see the character get used to a whole new body; this is a very stunning moment that stands out in this film.He has a very strong action presence, his role as an action hero is front and centre once the film's major twist happens. Furthermore he portrays the side effects of withdrawl in a very convincing way; it's kind of harrowing by the end of the film.

The editing for this film really pulls one out of the film, the colouring was dull and the way sequences were cut didn't always go with the great cinematography. The pacing for this film really drags out; it feels far too long by the end of the feature. Beyond this the plot of the film isn't all that engaging or convincing, the character of Damian changes the minute Reynolds steps up to the role. We're no longer convinced that it's the same role.

Matthew Goode, who played Albright, was a terrible antagonist; he was just too generic and exceptionally predictable. Ben Kingsley, who played Damian, was just a bit out of sorts in this film; it wasn't a great role for Kingsley and his choice of accent really didn't suit him. Michelle Dockery, who played Claire, lacked screen presence in a big way; she had no chemistry with either Kingsley or Reynolds.