Thr3e

Possible spoilers...as if that could happen with this gobbler. Right off the bat, I had three problems: 1) the tough lady cop looks like a fashion model; 2) the hero lives in a converted warehouse, complete with a cage-type elevator; 3) the dog dies. All about as hackneyed as it gets. Added along the way: another tough, gun-toting fashion-model, a girlfriend this time; some pretty unlikely plot elements; a trio of REALLY overacting crazy people; and a "shocking ending" which bounces around so much that any surprise ends up falling flat--particularly with the whacky Mel Brooks' "don't nobody move" flourish. Mix it all up with a heavy dose of third-rate Christian pop-psychology (I know, I know, that's redundant), and you got "Thr3e". And you can have it.

Okay, that's a little harsh. There was some tension, some action, some effective atmosphere. So I give it 2 stars. I mean, it wasn't as bad as Paretti, but then Paretti's pretty BAD.

Speaking of which, how about we get a new Rating Category: CT, for "Christian Themed"? So that those of us who don't buy into that particular brand of hocus-pocus can make better informed choices about what and what not to watch.

The basic premise of "Three" is unimaginative but potentially interesting: for reasons that are initially unclear, a theology student is targeted by a psychopath (the "Riddle Killer") who forces him to confront the dark corners of his past. As those close to him start to die, the only people who stand by our hero are his longtime female friend and a police psychologist whose brother was one of said murderer's victims.

This film drags the viewer through a series of pedestrian chases, shootouts, and assorted close calls for our heroic trio before reaching a fairly predictable climax. Other, better, films ("Saw", "Flatliners", "Never Talk to Strangers", "Fear", the list is truly endless) have covered this ground before and done so with far more originality, imagination, and style. The direction is by-the-numbers, and the cast are competent but lack charisma. It is no surprise that this dud vanished from theaters. It is puzzling that anyone thought it a good idea (tax write-off?) to make this film in the first place.

The reviews will lead to believe that this is a bad movie. Maybe you will dislike it. But if you take their opinion alone, you are seriously missing out.

To sum it up quickly, the movie revolves around a guy who is being stalked by a killer. The killer leaves him vague riddles and short time limits to solve them.

The story is a lot more detailed than I can really explain, but it is not confusing to follow. I would like to point out now that this is not a horror movie. If you are looking for blood and gore and nothing else, then move on. But this is definitely a suspense "hold-your-breath" thriller. Because I accidentally read some spoilers before watching the movie, I already knew what was going to happen. But I still sat at the edge of my seat, wide-eyed and excited. This is a psychological thriller to the max.

Yes, this is a movie with Christian undertones, but for those of you who are turned off by that, don't be. Most of the religious blah blah dissipates in the first 10 or 15 minutes. Overall in the movie, I didn't think there was a lot of overdone religion in it - though just a hair less of it would have made the movie better.

As a horror fan and a thriller fan, I think you should really check this movie out. Don't expect gore and blood and you'll love it.

Despite the negative reviews on here, give the movie a chance. You'll thank me.

I agree with those who say it does the book no justice. This is the case with so many Christian produced films out there today. One example is the Left Behind movie, which made the novel look like a cheap attempt at thrills. I assure all of you, those novels outdo the inaccurate films by leaps and bounds. This is so true of Thr3e. Ted Dekker is one of the best fiction authors out there today, Christian or otherwise. Take my advice and read the books. The Circle Trilogy is an incredible story. His other books include Heaven's Wager, When Heaven Weeps, Thunder of Heaven, Blink Showdown, Obsessed, and his latest, Saint. They are all excellent novels. If only the films could live up even half way to the writers' vision people might think differently about Christian produced films.

There is no way this film can be confused with other thrillers. It's the movie version of the book Thr3e by Ted Dekker. The book is excellent and this film is an attempt to tell the complex story of the book simply. Being a movie, there is less time for the detail which made the book especially clever, but the film does tell the story reasonably well. If you have read the book you will want to see this movie. I really enjoyed seeing the story I'd read play out on screen. In fact the look of the cast was so close to the way I'd imagined that it took me back to my experience reading. If you haven't read the book or you aren't a big reader you may want to get the book on tape or see the movie twice. It's hard to get all the details in one viewing. I took my husband who hasn't read the book and he was a bit confused at first. The book is certainly a must read if you like thrillers and for me this film was a must see.