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Zodiac (Fincher, 2007)Watching Zodiac with Se7en and Fight Club in mind might disappoint those expecting a typical David Fincher movie, but his exploration of a serial killer's reign across 70s San Francisco is highly rewarding, provided you're willing to put in the (2 and a half) hours. The Zodiac killer submitted citizens of California to everything from fear to mild bemusement for the better part of a decade with his media-baiting ciphers and acts of terrible violence. Meanwhile reporters, police and an obsessed cartoonist named Robert Graysmith spent those years trying and ultimately failing to put a face to the name. Fincher's own fascination with the case really comes across here, and while he doesn't shrink from the horror of the murders, this is his most traditional, but most accomplished feat of storytelling to date.
The pin sharp dialogue and perfectly paced story is accompanied by a first rate cast - most notably Robert Downey Jnr's hack Paul Avery and Mark Ruffalo's dogged homicide detective David Toschi. The story veers away swiftly from standard serial killer fare to intense procedural, focussing on the obsession of the men trying to stop Zodiac. And the real accomplishment here is that audiences will feel their regret, because to this day, the killer has never been caught. Despite this and the intimidating running time, those with the patience will be rewarded with one of the best crime thrillers in years. --Luke Mawson ... Read More » |
Average User Rating: 80% (62 Reviews) | |
| 3 / 5 | The previous review says it all...but
Mr. L. N. Taylor "lntaylor3" (Essex, UK) - 18 August 2007 but.....there is a director's cut of the movie with extra footage and a large amount of very interesting extras due early in 2008. I'd steer clear of this bare bones DVD, rent it, but wait for the special edition if you intend to buy. |
| 5 / 5 | Don't believe the bad publicity, it's brilliant!
IJ "chasingshadows" (Liverpool, UK) - 25 September 2007 Before beginning `Zodiac' I was a little hesitant, because I'd heard almost as many negative comments as positive ones made by critics in the press. I can only imagine that anyone who wasn't utterly engrossed for the entirety of this film hadn't actually been watching it. Without detracting from the previous comprehensive reviews on this page, I'd like to add how much I enjoyed this film. I admit I found it difficult viewing at times, specifically when the murders were taking place, which were handled with such quiet skill by the director and the actors involved in those scenes that they came as completely shocking to me. But also less tangibly unsettling is the subtle, but persistent unease that suffuses this movie- the subject matter is harrowing enough, but the exemplary taught, uncompromising direction only increases the inhumane aspect of these crimes. Undoubtedly the best part of this film though has to be the performances. The `stars' of the movie are as reliably committed to their roles and endearing as ever (e.g. Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo and Robert Downey JR.), but it's the actors in lesser roles such as the victims of the Zodiac and also Anthony Edwards whom I found particularly good at drawing me into the story. David Fincher has really done well to bring out such great performances in his cast. As another reviewer has noted- in the special (lack there of) features there's a 30-second segment informing viewers that a 2-disc Director's Cut version with director's commentary containing unseen footage, all-new interviews and behind the scenes features will be available to buy in 2008. For the film studio to promote an improved version of the product the consumer has only just bought and viewed (with features that should have been included on this DVD) I found quite insulting and it's a shame, because `Zodiac' really is a very impressive piece of film-making. As the last ten minutes of the film dawned (don't worry, I promise no spoilers) and no clear conventional Hollywood ending was in sight, I began to worry that this was one of those unsatisfying films that would simply end and leave me wanting. Well it didn't. I found the ending perfect, despite not wrapping up the entire story in a nice tidy bow it definitely does justice to the story and in the end...what more could you ask for?... Read Full Review » |
| 4 / 5 | A really interesting film!
Ashpan - 5 February 2008 I really enjoyed Zodiac. Although it does last for 2.5 hours, I honestly never felt bored, I was genuinely interested in the subject of the film. It can get slightly confusing at times as lots of new characters are brought in throughout, so it does require a lot of concentration on the viewers part.....anyone looking for a fast paced, gruesome thriller that doesn't tax the brain too much would probably switch this off after the first hour! Jake Gyllenhaal and Anthony Edwards are great in this film, in fact the whole film is very well acted.....and the murder scenes had a very `real' feel about them without being overly gruesome, but at the same time I was quite disturbed by them. All in all I would definitely recommend Zodiac, if you're willing to concentrate for the 2.5 hours you won't be disappointed, it's a gripping true crime story. ... Read Full Review » |
| 5 / 5 | 'I am waiting for a good movie about me' - well wait no more
William Rycroft "justwilliamsluck.blogspot.com" (London, UK) - 1 January 2008 David Fincher is an exciting director, no doubt, but for every Fight Club, there's a Panic Room, for every Se7en an Alien3. His films seem to alternate in quality and by my reckoning that meant I was in for a treat with Zodiac. And I was right. I don't think it is spoiling anything to mention that this film is based on a series of murders which took place around San Francisco in the 60's and 70's and that remain unsolved. But just as James Ellroy's book The Black Dahlia was a compelling story not only of what might have happened but of what effect crimes like these can have on those who try to solve them, this film is a brilliant depiction of terror, detection and obsession. The opening section of the film is actually the weakest, feeling like your average serial killer movie, and due to the extended timeline of the film and the fragmented nature of the action we have a lot of captions telling us '4 days later', '2 weeks later' etc. But as The Zodiac's taunting letters begin to arrive and we see the detail of investigation from both the police and press the tension really begins to build. Having mentioned his intention to attack a children's school bus the resulting panic will be eerily familiar to those who have felt the pressure of living in a city on terror alert. The casting is excellent, Jake Gyllenhall gives another outstanding performance and particularly in the latter stages of the film, as he tries valiantly to piece together all of the disparate lines of inquiry, he shows how the victims of this killer were not limited to those he attacked. Mark Ruffalo and Robert Downey Jr are both excellent as well but Fincher has also assembled an amazing supporting cast throughout, there isn't a single weak link. Having grown up in the area at the time of the killings Fincher brings a very personal touch to the material. The period is beautifully observed, the dialogue spot on and he shows great confidence in allowing the story to unfold slowly over two and a half hours. In one of his letters to the press The Zodiac said 'I am waiting for a good movie about me'. With this film Fincher has provided it but correctly focused on the victims rather than glorifying the killer.... Read Full Review » |
| 4 / 5 | Gripping Procedural Picture
TomBeTom "TE-M" (Nottinghamshire, England) - 15 August 2007 David Fincher may have directed the likes of 1995's "Seven", 1999's "Fight Club" and 2002's "Panic Room" but such a gathering of fast-paced, if procedural motion pictures are misleading when used in the marketing campaign of something like 2007's "Zodiac". That's because "Zodiac" is procedural on a much higher lever than the aforementioned titles, not nearly as quick-footed as they and, in my humble opinion, the superior of all four. Though the movie may be based on an unsolved series of murders that took place in San Francisco Bay Area in the 60's and 70's, "Zodiac" doesn't succumb to the temptations of glorifying the events themselves, preferring only to depict them as the jumbled, disorganised crimes that they were. Nor does "Zodiac" focus so much on the faceless killer at the centre of the story -- as 2005's "The Zodiac" chose to do. "Zodiac", in actuality, is a careful study of numerous individuals either affected or involved in the investigation relating to the shootings and stabbings with facts about the investigation and case studies presented to near perfection when necessary. "Zodiac" doesn't fall into the category as many recent serial killer pieces, and is decidedly slower paced. Amazing then, that the motion picture never gets boring or seems overlong and constantly receives adamant attention from all fortunate enough to view it. As mentioned earlier, "Zodiac" focuses primarily on a collection of real-life people affected by the Zodiac killer investigation and/or involved in it. Among them is San Francisco Chronicle cartoonist Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal) who becomes obsessed with the Zodiac case at the expense of his relationship with wife Melanie and his three children. Also followed is police detective David Toschi (Mark Ruffalo), laboured with the work of capturing the cold-blooded killer when the only evidence he's able to muster is entirely circumstancial. Another San Francisco Chronicle employee, this time reporter Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.), finds his own personal life turned upside down by the infamous killings. Anyone else featured is on-screen to a much lesser degree than said three, as "Zodiac" watches them go about their own specific investigations into the killings, with each desperately hoping to find an answer by their means even though the outcome seems a foregone conclusion. The movie itself takes much of its content from Robert Graysmith's own published book on the case and as such Graysmith's character is where the movie is primarily occupied. Turning in a performances that perhaps even surpasses that of 2002's "Donnie Darko", Jake Gyllenhaal is absolutely enthrallist as obsessed cartoonist Robert Graysmith. Growing increasingly detached to his family because of his obsession but seemingly unable to help himself, Graysmith's character is a challenging role to accurately portray. Gyllenhaal though is perfectly capable of doing the job, bringing the humanity and desperation to the immensely troubled cartoonist. Also of particular note is Robert Downey Jr., sensational as reporter Paul Avery, whose confident, collected persona is steadily diminished as the Zodiac begins to threaten Avery specifically. Having tackled the medium of romantic comedy with "Just Like Heaven", Mark Ruffalo is cast into a much darker motion picture with "Zodiac". His particular performance as Police Detective David Toschi may not be as refined and enigmatic as those of his two co-stars, but that's little to be ashamed about. Starring for brief periods of time respectively are numerous other talented actors. John Carroll Lynch does excellent as number-one suspect Arthur Leigh Allen, who would eventually die before a decision to trial him was reached. Lynch may only feature for two scenes throughout the entire movie, but when on-screen he perfectly captures the mysterious man's persona when on hand. Chloe Sevigny also stands out as Robert Graysmith's neglected wife Melanie. She features more than the aforementioned Lynch but still perhaps doesn't receive the proper treatment as a character. Brian Cox also cameos, though little more than a few lines of dialogue appear to be required of him. "Zodiac" begins with one of the un-named Zodiac killer's first murders. Though this opening scene is of much different a style to those that follow in the 160-minute drama, it does stand out as one of the movie's best. Immaculately choreographed and shot (no pun intended), the scene is one of "Zodiac"'s most transcendent and beautifully realised scenes, even if the content is decidedly grim. For the majority, however, "Zodiac" focuses little on the actual crimes committed by the unidentified madman -- even if it does show them -- and instead goes a route few others in recent memory have gone without becoming pat and cliched. Accurately conveying a paranoid and utterly terrified community of people via a small number, "Zodiac" sensationalises little and honestly sticks to its morals, believing the people affected to be of far greater value than the perpetrator and thus solely hovering over them. Some viewers may be put off by the somewhat lengthy running-time that "Zodiac" boasts. However, anyone avoiding the movie for that particular reason is making a grave mistake. Though the motion picture is immaculately detailed and procedural throughout, not once does the experience become a bore or seem too drawn out. The detail with which everything regarding the Zodiac case is put together never once seems tedious or unnecessary and, as a complete project, gives "Zodiac" far more depth and credit than its peers. Like it's main charactere (Graysmith) "Zodiac" reserves judgment until it has covered every possible angle, and though it eventually decides for itself who is most likely to have been responsible "Zodiac" is an interesting picture that doesn't attempt to dig deep in areas it need not. In the hands of another director "Zodiac" could well have been exploitative and naive. However, David Fincher handles the motion picture so well that it is, so far, one of the best of the year. "Zodiac" is an engrossing, superb study of vastly different people greatly effected by events ultimately out of control and is thus something we can all relate too. A surprise package dressed up like a serial-killer movie, "Zodiac" is actually much more than just that.... Read Full Review » |
RRP
£20.99
Release Date
24 September 2007
Price Range
£6.43 - £18.93