Decent but very predictable

Rating: 5/10 (27 November 2007)

When I saw the positive reviews for this movie, I thought this would be a very fresh and suspenseful thriller. However, I was disappointed to realize that it was very unoriginal and predictable. It was still watchable and had some good points but I can't really give it more than an average rating.
First of all, there wasn't really anything original about the plot. I've seen it on countless movies, sitcoms and drama series. It goes like this. New neighbor moves in. Main character decides to spy on the new neighbor and sees something suspicious. Main character continues to spy and sees a pattern of behavior that makes the neighbor look like a murderer. Main character becomes obsessed with finding out the truth about the neighbor. The only thing that was really different here was that the boy in this case was on house arrest and he had several high tech gadgets at hand that he could use to spy.
Secondly, there was really nothing surprising about any of the plot twists either. Maybe it was me, but right away I knew exactly that it would go something like this. Main character does more detective work that continues to support his theory of the murderous neighbor. Neighbor catches on to the fact that he is being spied upon and has interactions with friends and family members of the main character, seemingly putting them in danger. Main character tries to alert these friends and family members as well as police to the suspicious neighbor. They don't believe him given his past behavior. Neighbor seems clean in their eyes. Boy cries wolf one too many times.
On a positive note, the acting was very good. Shia LaBeouf was excellent as Kale Brecht, a well-meaning but troubled teen who was burdened by the death of his father. David Morse once again played the role of dark, emotionally disturbed psychopath to perfection. It seems like every time they are casting a part like that in a movie, David Morse is on speed dial. Sarah Roemer, while very charming as girl next door, Ashley Carlson, seemed nothing more than eye candy in the whole scheme of things. The subplot about the romance between her and Kale did not seem necessary to the plot.
It's not that "Disturbia" is a bad movie, it was just a somewhat disappointing movie. Had I watched it with lower expectations, I may have felt better about it. I would still recommend it since I've heard many other people say that they did enjoy it.