Surprisingly Watchable

Rating: 6/10 (12 April 2005)

I didn't want to see this movie. I really, really didn't. But I wanted to be a good girlfriend, so I let my boyfriend drag me into it with promises he'd make it up to me. Maybe my complete and utter lack of expectations skewed my opinion a bit, but I actually found that the movie wasn't that bad. Keanu Reeves was able to use his signature "understatedness" (or lack of talent, whatever) to his best advantage. He's best in roles where he can act completely spaced out, confused, or determined. This one lets him do all of the above at various intervals. Rachel Weisz was also good as a set of twins. She was simultaneously tragic and determined as both of them. The sets were all well created and the story wasn't anywhere near as bad as the previews make it look. It's about on par with Hellboy, maybe a little bit better and definitely more brooding. This is a Dark Horse comic movie. They tend to be darker and more brooding than the chronically angsty Marvel and less heroic than either Marvel or DC, but if you like that sort of thing you'll enjoy this. Warning: This is definitely NOT a movie for everyone. Don't take your Grandma to see it. Don't take any easily offended religious friends and/or relatives unless you'd really prefer if they weren't your friends and/or relatives. You have been warned.