Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 9:15 am
Al Pacino stars as a criminal forensics psychologist who has just received a phone call telling him that he has 88 minutes to live. He suspects a serial killer that he helped convict is behind it because that man is due to die that same evening. What he doesn't know is who on the outside is helping him.
This is a pretty fast paced thriller, and I think it had to be to keep viewers from spotting the fake evidence and impossible travel times.
The fake evidence is something to be blamed on the writer and/or director. This includes cameras focusing on actors during key moments while they make a look that implies they might be the bad guy, a piece of evidence implicating one character that had the logic behind its existence crumble once the bad guy is revealed, etc. There are a LOT of red herrings in this film.
As for the travel times, Pacino sure does get around Seattle fast in 88 minutes. Other characters move even faster...There is one whose moment is impossibly fast towards the end.
But again, the movie is so fast paced and entertaining enough that it keeps you from focusing on that until after the credits roll.
The acting is interesting. Pacino is Pacino, but the supporting cast seems off at times. The guy who plays the serial killer makes some odd choices later in the film during a phone call. Ditto for the other bad guy during the inevitable monologue. I just wasn't buying it from either. (Commenting further would spoil the story.)
Anyway, if you're looking for a fast paced thriller to rent, it's not a bad option. This is easily one that could be watched by a couple without either getting bored. Still, the odd acting moments, sneaky direction/writing, and huge mistakes (or use of Star Trek transporters <--that'll be funny to those who see the movie) prevent me from giving it a higher score.
5 out of 10.
This is a pretty fast paced thriller, and I think it had to be to keep viewers from spotting the fake evidence and impossible travel times.
The fake evidence is something to be blamed on the writer and/or director. This includes cameras focusing on actors during key moments while they make a look that implies they might be the bad guy, a piece of evidence implicating one character that had the logic behind its existence crumble once the bad guy is revealed, etc. There are a LOT of red herrings in this film.
As for the travel times, Pacino sure does get around Seattle fast in 88 minutes. Other characters move even faster...There is one whose moment is impossibly fast towards the end.
But again, the movie is so fast paced and entertaining enough that it keeps you from focusing on that until after the credits roll.
The acting is interesting. Pacino is Pacino, but the supporting cast seems off at times. The guy who plays the serial killer makes some odd choices later in the film during a phone call. Ditto for the other bad guy during the inevitable monologue. I just wasn't buying it from either. (Commenting further would spoil the story.)
Anyway, if you're looking for a fast paced thriller to rent, it's not a bad option. This is easily one that could be watched by a couple without either getting bored. Still, the odd acting moments, sneaky direction/writing, and huge mistakes (or use of Star Trek transporters <--that'll be funny to those who see the movie) prevent me from giving it a higher score.
5 out of 10.