Zodiac [2007]

See Larger Image	Manufacturer: Warner Home Video Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Elias Koteas, John Carroll Lynch, Dermot Mulroney, Donal Logue Directed By: David Fincher Average Customer Rating:


Audience Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over Binding: DVD EAN: 7321902110226 Format: PAL Label: Warner Home Video Manufacturer: Warner Home Video Number Of Items: 1 Publisher: Warner Home Video Region Code: 2 Release Date: 2007-09-24 Running Time: 151 Studio: Warner Home Video Theatrical Release Date: 2007
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Editorial Reviews: 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
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: A well acted slow burner Comment: Bit of a strange one this - it's quite an old fashioned tale, it not only feels as is it's set in the 70's, it feels as if it was made then as well. It's a real throwback to the likes of 'All The Presidents Men', 'Klute', 'The Parallax View' and all those other paranoid thrillers. The film is a definite slow burner and isnt afraid to take it's time in building towards it's (slightly open ended) climax. If you're after an action packed thriller (like Finchers 'Seven' for instance) then this probably isnt for you. This is a well acted, thoughtful ensemble piece with moments or genuine tension, which I think will come to be regarded as something of a classic in years to come. Yes, it's long. Yes, you're required to use your brain and think. Is that a bad thing? - not in my book. A intelligent, thought provoking movie that will stay with you long after you've finished watching it. Customer Rating: Summary: Awesome Comment: I have run out of superlatives to describe "Zodiac", its simply 'AWESOME', this film simply blew me away. I have read other reviews that were less than kind, someone even compared the film to "Se7en"(?!?) complaining that there were no "head-in-the-box moments." Somehow I think those reviewers missed the point. Though, I can understand that this may not be everyones cup of tea. This is not a Hollywood creation and its not always easy viewing, this is an as-accurate-as-possible portrayal of one of the worlds most bizarre and elusive serial killers. The killer was never caught, so it could only really have ended one way!! Although the evidence offered does point heavily in one suspects direction. The first half of the film deals with the murders that zodiac is known to have committed. (He claimed to have killed 37 and is suspected of killing many more but only seven were cast iron.) The second half of the film deals with the people trying to catch him and the impact it had on their lives, destroying careers and personal lives. Its really a tale of obsession, the obsession of the killer and the obsession of the author Robert Graysmith - played here by the always excellent Jake Gyllenhall - in trying to identify the Zodiac. The zodiac is one of the most terrifying bad guys in screen history; because its all true. The film is directed by the brilliant David Fincher who keeps the film moving along nicely, even though it is over two and a half hours, it doesn't seem like it. It's well written and very well acted by an ensemble cast including the aforementioned Gyllenhall, Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Edwards and Elias Koteas. Only Chloe Sevigny is let down by a script that leaves her nothing to do in the "wife" role. I cannot rate this film highly enough and I urge everyone to see it. As I said at the start of this review; simply awesome. Customer Rating: Summary: a classic Comment: excellent film closely based on the book, albeit with less detail. in my top 20 films of all time. Customer Rating: Summary: Zodiac Comment: 'Zodiac' is a good film that kept me interested for the whole duration, but with a slightly lack lustre ending. I know this is based on real events so the director was unable to spice the ending up too much, but I found the way it fizzled out and wrapped up the story with a few screens worth of writing at the end pretty poor pay off for well over 2 1/2 hours viewing. Saying that, this film is very atmospheric. It is excellently directed and the various actors do a top job in building suspense and keeping you hooked into the story. Some murder scenes early on are quite shocking and powerful without being excessively gratuitous, which is something in itself. Overall this is a good film, that should keep you watching, but don't expect too many plot twists or a shock ending to leave you with that feeling of satisfaction. A solid four stars. Customer Rating: Summary: Interesting Comment: I don't know much about the case of Zodiac outside of this film, so I can't really comment on how close to the truth the story of this film is, or how well each person played their part in comparison to their real-life counterpart. However, I can comment on this film for what it is - a fascinating story of a cartoonist's search for the identity of a serial killer who all else seem to have given up on ever finding. The pacing of the film is slow, but if I'm honest, that's the type of pacing that I prefer, where the director lets things build up rather than adopting the 'thrill-a-second' approach that certain directors have taken with their films lately. The acting was good - I'm usually a big fan of Jake Gyllenhaal but I wasn't really blown away by his performance in this film - it was OK, he played his part, but I didn't really connect with the character at any point. I was impressed by Robert Downey Jr, who plays a believeable Paul Avery, but my favourite performance of the film by far was by Mark Ruffalo as David Toschi - he really made the character his own. The plot is interesting, but of course limited due to being based on real life case. I've heard people complain that the ending is unsatisfactory as we never 'really' find out who the Zodiac killer is - only who he 'probably' is, but I'm pleased the film chose to stay true to the facts rather than adopt a more hollywood 'all loose strings tied' approach. I can't really pick any faults with this film, the actings great, the script is faultless, the direction brilliant, but I've still given it four stars instead of five because, although there's nothing really wrong with it, it's still missing a certain something that makes it extra special. Some films have it, some don't, and sadly this film falls into the latter category. But that's not to say this is a bad film at all - in fact, it is a very good one - just not the greatest. More Reviews