Helix, the first cell HAD to do the following:
1. take in energy in some form or another
2. break down and store and use that energy
3. get rid of what it didn't need/want
4. defend itself in a hostile environment (cell membrane at the least)
5. replicate
That's pretty complex, any way you cut it.
These, by the way are processes that are not natural to chemicals and must be imposed upon them.