If you had to list the top five organs, you would hope that 'the brain' would be up at the top somewhere, depending on whom you asked of course. If you answered, for example, the Casio CTK-3000, then you're either trying too hard to be clever or are a prime example of the theory that we only use 10% of our brain.

This notion is complete bunkum of course, as scientists have proved that the brain works a lot harder than that (unless you've appeared on a reality TV show, perhaps). But the makers of Limitless have decided to run with this concept anyway, as it makes for an entertaining premise.

Although Eddie Morra (Bradley Cooper) considers himself a writer, he's finding the actual process of putting words onto electronic paper far from easy. In fact it would be fair to say that Eddie's in a bit of a rut. His fragile emotional state is worsened when his girlfriend Lindy (Abbie Cornish) feels that he's not doing anything worthwhile with his life and decides to dump him.

Just as Eddie feels like he's reached an all-time low, he crosses paths with his ex-wife's brother Vernon (Johnny Whitworth); back in the day he used to be a regular drug dealer, but now he's pushing a top secret wonder drug for a pharmaceutical company. Despite it being very hush-hush, Vernon takes pity on Eddie and gives him a free sample, which he pops.

Eddie soon discovers that Vernon wasn't kidding when he said that the NZT had the power to unlock the full potential of the brain. With the drug in his system Eddie undergoes a mental awakening, giving him truly enhanced abilities.

It doesn't take him long to think that it was a shame that he could only have the one pill, as eventually the effect will wear off leaving him back at sad, depressing square one once again. But with Vernon suffering a misfortune, Eddie finds that he suddenly has a substantial stash of the stuff to keep him sated.

With NZT in his system, Eddie is like a new man; with clarity and a sharp mind, he starts turning his miserable life around by making a name for himself on Wall Street. Before too long Eddie has got it all. The problem with having it all is it doesn't take long for others to notice, and want a piece of it for themselves.

Not only does he get unwanted attention from a Russian mobster he borrowed money from, but he starts to think that someone is following him. On top of that, although what he can achieve is limitless on the drug, it's a different story off of it; not only does he have a limited supply, but going cold turkey is a real bitch. So when the NZT dries up, Eddie's in for a real downer.

Ahh, look at all these lovely leading man scripts. Fuck you, Hangover III!

For some unexplained reason, there currently seems to be a real drought where decent sci-fi films are concerned. Despite some minor faults, Limitless is a great stab at breathing life into this seemingly ignored genre.

With the success Cooper has achieved in ensemble hits like The A-Team and The Hangover films, this is his first opportunity to take centre stage as the leading man. He doesn't do a bad job of it either. He's clearly the kind of actor that a needs a large entourage to follow him around, if only to carry the excess amount of charm that oozes off of him. He also offers a first person voice over narrative throughout, which appears to be a nod of some kind towards the sci-fi classic Blade Runner; it's not even that necessary, but it helps to audibly reinforce his ongoing charm offensive.

And although Robert De Niro could almost turn up in any old dross these days if the price is right, his contribution as money-bags mogul Carl Van Loon is a welcome one too.

Clearly director Neil Burger (The Lucky Ones) had a mandate from the off to deliver a visual rush with this film, which he surely delivers. It's a little too music video inspired in places, but it certainly gives it a bona fide sci-fi feel, which it can most definitely be proud of.

Where it gets slightly unstuck is with the plot. After an eager-to-please first half the film gets somewhat distracted towards the end, wandering off looking at all the pretty lights it's created. The story (based on the novel The Dark Fields by Alan Glynn) loses momentum because of this, but not enough to cause any major disappointment.

If your suffering withdrawal from the lack of original sci-fi films around, Limitless will certainly take the edge off for a while, making it the perfect no-brainer.