Zodiac Review

Written by: alex1176   

David Fincher's daring and unflinching account of the Zodiac killings is masterful storytelling at its best. However, it is more "C.S.I." than "Se7en", so horror fans looking for a good gory time should look elsewhere. Despite the lack of horror scenes, "Zodiac" is a soaring truimph that is a combination of police procedural and a newspaper film. Critics have called it the "All the President's Men" of serial-killer movies and for good reason because this is a great film. The fact that it is based on a real-life case makes it all the more chilling (and compelling).  

Jake Gyllenhaal heads a dynamite ensemble cast as San Francisco cartoonist Robert Graysmith. He works for the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper and most of the movie's ongoings are shown through his eyes. "Zodiac" is also divided into two major acts. The first of which deals with the Zodiac's killings and the second details Graysmith's search for the truth years later. Mark Ruffalo expertly plays the part of real life cop David Toschi and Robert (soon to be Iron Man!) Downey Jr. brings much needed humor to the film as Graysmith's oddball co-worker Paul Avery. Another terrific performance comes from John Carrol Lynch who may or may not be the Zodiac.

Kudos goes to director Fincher for giving the film a very good period look. The movie transports the viewer to another decade. Make no doubt about it, this IS the 70's!! And some chilling moments include a stabbing sequence in broad daylight and a scene in which Graysmith feels ill as he steps into a darkened basement. "Zodiac" is an epic film that runs close to three hours long. So if you like ambitious, thoughtful films that can get under your skin, than "Zodiac" is your movie! It's one of the best films of 2006.