"This is the Zodiac Speaking..." I Killed the Movie!
Justin Daigle
Issue date: 3/12/07 Section: Entertainment
This movie is perhaps on of the most complicated movies to review. The response I've been receiving from others about this movie is the "It's not what I expected" response. I would have to agree.
A movie about a serial killer usually falls into either the action or horror category. This movie balances action, horror, suspense, but mostly drama. The first half of the movie felt like I was watching a wonderful re-enactment of a Discover Channel documentary.
The first half of the movie lags entirely too slowly with continuous fact interjection, but little to no character development of the key participants in this docu-drama. Then the movie spirals down to seeing the entire nation seemingly in love with the terrifying Zodiac serial killer who has been killing multiple people over several counties. The Zodiac becomes almost more of a celebrity than a ruthless psycho. The second half of the movie is also way too long as we watch the main character (Jake Gyllenhal) slowly degenerating into the almost cliché type of "can't eat, can't sleep, got to find out who Zodiac is" obsession.
The movie had no emotion. The audience was never invited to enter the world of this movie. When I was trying to find a movie to compare this to, last year's movie Capote came to mind. Most people don't remember Capote and if you do it's because Philip Seymour Hoffman won the Best Actor Oscar for it last year.
It was also about a writer who wrote a famous book about real-life murders. However, Capote was gripping and an emotional roller coaster. It was beautifully directed and deserved the nomination for Best Picture that it received last year. Zodiac fell short.
The acting was wonderful. Gyllenhaal is superb actor who needs to stick with more Donne Darko, Brokeback Mountain roles and stay away from these Zodiac and Bubble Boy roles. Robert Downey Jr. plays the same character he always plays, just in a different costume. If you've seen a R. Downey Jr. film, you've all ready met his character.
The acting that surprised me the most was that of Mark Ruffalo. He gave quite a stirring performance. Also, Chloe Sevigny (of Larry Clark's Kids fame) gave a small, but powerful performance as Melanie.
The movie was great of telling the story of the Zodiac Killer, but I didn't leave the movie wanting to know more or fascinated by the events that took place in the film. If you're looking for a horror or an action movie, you may want to find another film. But if you want to know more about the Zodiac Killer and have two hours and 20 minutes to spare, then check it out. Overall rating: 3 out of 5.
A movie about a serial killer usually falls into either the action or horror category. This movie balances action, horror, suspense, but mostly drama. The first half of the movie felt like I was watching a wonderful re-enactment of a Discover Channel documentary.
The first half of the movie lags entirely too slowly with continuous fact interjection, but little to no character development of the key participants in this docu-drama. Then the movie spirals down to seeing the entire nation seemingly in love with the terrifying Zodiac serial killer who has been killing multiple people over several counties. The Zodiac becomes almost more of a celebrity than a ruthless psycho. The second half of the movie is also way too long as we watch the main character (Jake Gyllenhal) slowly degenerating into the almost cliché type of "can't eat, can't sleep, got to find out who Zodiac is" obsession.
The movie had no emotion. The audience was never invited to enter the world of this movie. When I was trying to find a movie to compare this to, last year's movie Capote came to mind. Most people don't remember Capote and if you do it's because Philip Seymour Hoffman won the Best Actor Oscar for it last year.
It was also about a writer who wrote a famous book about real-life murders. However, Capote was gripping and an emotional roller coaster. It was beautifully directed and deserved the nomination for Best Picture that it received last year. Zodiac fell short.
The acting was wonderful. Gyllenhaal is superb actor who needs to stick with more Donne Darko, Brokeback Mountain roles and stay away from these Zodiac and Bubble Boy roles. Robert Downey Jr. plays the same character he always plays, just in a different costume. If you've seen a R. Downey Jr. film, you've all ready met his character.
The acting that surprised me the most was that of Mark Ruffalo. He gave quite a stirring performance. Also, Chloe Sevigny (of Larry Clark's Kids fame) gave a small, but powerful performance as Melanie.
The movie was great of telling the story of the Zodiac Killer, but I didn't leave the movie wanting to know more or fascinated by the events that took place in the film. If you're looking for a horror or an action movie, you may want to find another film. But if you want to know more about the Zodiac Killer and have two hours and 20 minutes to spare, then check it out. Overall rating: 3 out of 5.
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