RCD1321

So the trailer pretty much spoiled the "twist" even though I wouldn't really classify it as such as they give it away pretty early in the film. It just didn't hit like I hoped it would, and Shyamalan didn't do horrible, be also didn't really hit the mark very well either. It was more of a kind of "meh" feeling with the film.

The plot is pretty straightforward, as the trailer pretty much lays it out- a famed serial killer goes to a concert with his daughter, and it turns out that the police has set a trap to catch him. And it turns into a cat and mouse game at the concert of Josh Hartnett, the father/serial killer, tries to make his way out of the concert without being caught.

The film lacks the tension it tries to build. And does it try. You really don't even know who to root for. Do I root for the killer? The police? The rest of the cast is just kind of there, and while it was good to see Hartnett back in the big name movie game, he just was very strange in this. Like the acting was very unnatural. He wasn't cool, calm, collected, like you would expect a sociopathic serial killed- as they are in just about every movie. Instead he acted.... odd. Like he was just awkward at almost every turn. You don't even empathize with him, you are just along for the ride.

And the plot itself, it never really explains the why. Why is he trying so hard to avoid being questioned by police? They do this elaborate, drawn out trap to get their suspect to be questioned by the police that will somehow reveal him to be the killer? It makes no sense whatsoever. Unless they know for sure that their killer is this really awkward guy who will act very funny around them. It tried so hard and fell so flat. While it is entertaining, just to watch another Shyamalan film, which usually aren't bad, this is no Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, or even Signs. Heck, it was about on par with The Village. Decent enough to give it a watch, but probably never revisit it again.

I really don't remember seeing much about this until I happened across the trailer on YouTube. It looked good, and so I decided I'd give it a watch. Not knowing much about a movie I think is the best way- the going in blind approach. I can better provide an objective opinion. And the objective opinion is that it was far better than I expected. The acting, the pacing, direction, the set pieces, and the action, although limited, was all really good.

The story is pretty original, and follows a flawed Baltimore police officer- played by Shailene Woodley, who really delivered, but more on that later- who gets recruited to assist the FBI in the hunt for a sniper who killed a random grouping of people on New Year's Eve. Ben Mendelsohn plays the very intelligent Special Agent in Charge, Lammark. The two work to track down a cold-blooded killer who essentially leaves very little in the way of bread crumbs to follow. Without spoiling any more of the plot, I'll just leave it at that.

The acting was very good, and Mendelsohn really delivers, but that was expected. Woodley, who I've only seen in the Divergent films, was surprisingly great, and reveals a troubled and flawed main character who brings a different perspective to the investigation that is very atypical of what we normally see in murder mystery films. The rest of the cast also does well, and doesn't chew the scenery and really gives great supporting performances.

The direction, from Damian Szifron, a total newcomer, really brings forth a film that could easily pass for a more seasoned director, and I found myself drawing a few comparisons to Christopher McQuarrie or an early Fincher.

The pacing is good, and it never stalls out or drags and keeps your attention throughout. The action is also good, with a tension and suspense thrown in that grabs you and pulls you in. The dialog also is notably natural and not seemingly absent a decent technical advisor (as a former cop this tends to disappoint me in many films) I can forgive a little, but this one isn't one that needs much of any forgiveness, it was entertaining without needing to suspend all the disbelief.

Overall, this isn't a Se7en or Sicario, but pretty good, and way better than my initial expectations. A well earned 8/10, and inspiration to explore more of Woodley's filmography.