On Location: "Lucy" Blows Up Paris and Taipei

Lucy, opening Friday, takes audiences to Paris and Taipei City, answering a very important question: What do those places look like when they are shot to hell?

Whether it’s utilizing enclosed spaces as with Leon: The Professional or expansive and vibrant scenery as with The Fifth Element, Luc Besson gets the most out of any location. From what it looks like, his newest endeavor, starring Scarlett Johansson, will be no different.

Now the movie does employ an oft-used albeit misleading trope (What if you used more than 10 percent of your brain?), giving fans a plot nearly as ridiculous as Chris Tucker’s hair in The Fifth Element.

Please disregard all the absurdity, because it’s Besson’s ability to carve out a character from the surroundings that should make this a wild romp through various locales. Those still hesitant to drop money on the film might want to take a look at this On Location video:

Besson has directed, written and produced some of the more enjoyable movies in recent memory, garnering strong protagonists who wade through bullets like swimmers do water.

While merely a glimpse, the video illustrates Besson’s willingness to gravitate to some seriously intriguing destinations.

Johansson, who plays Lucy, was also enamored with the shooting location: “Taipei,  I really loved filming in the city. I just loved being able to explore that city.”

Besson explains a bit further what drew him to Taiwan’s capital: “On the script, I always put Taipei, because I went for The Fifth Element 20 years ago and I loved the town: the feeling, the people. And the funny thing is at the end, we end up at the hotel I knew 20 years ago.”

As for Paris, we send our regards.

As you see in the video, there is something of a wrong-way, high-speed chase through the streets as well as a bullet-ridden scene taking place at the famed Sorbonne.

Besson continues that the gorgeous must-see destination was all but destroyed, temporarily, for the film: “The last day, you can’t even recognize the Sorbonne.”

Not to worry, excited traveler, because we imagine Besson and his crew tidied up before delving deep into post-production. Thankfully, this film seems to have all the beats, punches, passion and visceral pacing that are sure to please.

If all else fails, you get to enjoy Paris and Taipei as they might look when a human “using 100 percent of her brain” visits.

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