...Denn zum küssen sind sie da

I didn't really know much about this movie when I saw that it was coming on HBO. I just decided "what the hell" and watched it. Besides, Morgan Freeman is one of my favorite actors. After a few minutes of KISS THE GIRLS, I was instantly glued to the television. It was pretty dark and very suspenseful, but I truly liked it.

Dr. Alex Cross (Morgan Freeman), a psychologist/detective from Washington DC is sent to investigate a man known as "Casanova", who is kidnapping, imprisoning and occasionally torturing and killing beautiful women. His niece is among one of the kidnapped. Along with the help of Kate Mctiernan, (Ashley Judd) who escaped from the maniac, and Detective Nick Ruskin (Cary Elwes), Cross sets out to find and stop the murderer.

The plot is fascinating and will most likely keep you on the edge of your seat and holding onto the arm of your chair. The acting jobs are very good too. Some parts are very dark and a little disturbing, but it often only helps the story line. Morgan Freeman, as usual, does a great job as the main character. Ashley Judd and Cary Elwes also did impressive performances.

The ending of this movie is pretty good and rather surprising. Go out and rent this whenever you're in the mood for a little suspense, you won't be disappointed.

Cary Elwes does an incredible job as Nick Ruskin. He acts with perfect emotion for every particular scene and brings a unique feel to the character portrayed in the book. Elwes does superb acting in this film, and really displays his range. After reading the novel, I was surprised by Freemans casting. He impressed me with his comittment to the character, however, during the film he seemed over-dramatic taking away from the realism of the story (what makes the film and novel so terrorizing). Ashley Judd played Kate McTieran well and portrayed Pattersons heroine with the courage and bravery expected. Where the movie falls short is in the script. The adaptation leaves out numerous key elements to the story. What makes the plot so riveting is the psychological trauma Cassanova and the Gentleman caller force onto their captives. With brief scenes portraying the womens captivity, they film takes away from the character development of the murderers and focuses too heavily on superfluous tidbits not necessary to the story. If you are seeking a true thriller, you may want to choose another movie. Although the film is entertaining and the acting decent, the novel is much better and the thriller genre is better utilized in other films.

Detective Alex Cross is an experienced, astute forensic psychologist. He's brought from D.C. to Durham to aid in the investigation of a slippery criminal mastermind with a track record for abducting young women who are both beautiful and talented. It becomes personal when one of the abductees is his niece, and he enlists local doctor and former victim Kate McTiernan (Judd) who escaped the same perpetrator and is the only living person who can identify him. Stylish, atmospheric, well-crafted thriller holds your interest, with some effective twists and strong performances from Freeman and Judd, but it builds to a climax that doesn't quite payoff. Still, a respectable showing for all those involved. **½

A devilish maniac is on the loose, kidnapping beautiful women left and right. Many of his unfortunate victims who do not comply to his sadistic demands end up being tortured...and killed. Dr. Jack Cross (Morgan Freeman) is an insightful psychologist working for the police department. He has been hired to investigate a peculiar pattern of apparently random abductions of young, nubile women. Cross fails to secure any leads until his battle with the infamous abductor turns personal. The detective's niece has recently became the latest victim to this psychotic's premeditated schemes...

Calling himself "Casanova," this misogynistic serial murderer is alluring, charming...and equally mentally destructive...

Cross's only assistant is a beautiful and intelligent doctor (Ashley Judd). Another police detective (Cary Elwes) is also chasing after the kidnapper. With no clue or leads for unmasking this elusive stalker, the police with the help from the doctor must find a clever way to unlocking his secrets. As time becomes of the essence and the night takes over, Cross and the doctor rush desperately to seek out the lost souls who are under duress into becoming the fiend's prisoners...

KISS THE GIRLS is a perversely provocative thriller with such stunning photography. The moody atmosphere truly enraptures the viewer into a dark nightmarish world. The lightning is sometimes incomprehensible for the picture, but this fault adds to the disturbing effect of the movie itself. KISS THE GIRLS is a great mystery, with the individual clues and seemingly isolated events carefully stitched together to create one whole puzzle that may just serve as the tip of the iceberg.

Thanks to a seductively morbid tone, the film keeps the viewer fascinated throughout the length of the flick. KISS THE GIRLS is a sophisticated horror show since the audience never knows who the real killer may be. Even so, there is always more to the background scenery then what the eyes are allowed to see. The viewer must always eavesdrop when the leads interact with each other on screen...

Deliciously diabolical! The performances from KISS THE GIRLS are first rate. Ashley Judd is riveting as a kick-boxing doctor whose strong willpower can make her an appropriate inspiration and role model for young females. Morgan Freeman establishes more integrity as a forensics psychologist, determined to track down his kidnapped niece. The main scoundrel, whoever his real name may be, is one of the most unique villains ever to embrace the screen. His characteristics were wisely shot in a series of bleak, unrelenting shots so that the moviegoer may get a glimpse of his cryptic face, yet, they can not spill the beans as to find out who he really is.

KISS THE GIRLS is a startling movie with an array of scares and plot twists to keep you interested plus a decent pace to keep the story-line moving.

RATING: **1/2 out of ****.

This suspense thriller is every bit as good as James Patterson's fine novel and has great chemistry between Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd. The sole plot is Freeman's search for two serial kidnappers and killers who snatch beautiful and accomplished young women, including Freeman's niece. The two killers try to outdo each other as they seize and destroy their trophy captives. As with most mysteries, this one has the usual red herrings, false leads and dead ends. Freeman is excellent as Alex Cross and heroine Judd is a study in grit and survival and is very effective in a finely nuanced role. The supporting cast is also great in a movie that has a leisurely pace and several great action scenes as it peaks towards its conclusion. The North Carolina location lensing, music score and cinematography are all very good.