Modern remake of classic thriller

Rating: 6/10 (19 December 2009)

Recap: A year ago Kale is in an extremely traumatic experience. He is in a car accident were his father dies. Since then he has been struggling. After hitting a teacher in school he gets house arrest during the summer break. With his X-box and I-tunes connections canceled by his mom he has nothing to do but watch the neighbors. Luckily a very beautiful girl moves in nearby, but the most of his attention goes to his other neighbor, Mr. Turner. Kale gets convinced he is serial killer, but got no evidence. Or is he just stalking an innocent man leading a quiet life, and his suspicions just a figment of his unstimulated imagination.
Comments: Almost a step by step and complete remake of the classic Hitchcock, just adapted to a more modern suburban area and with younger kids in the lead parts. Because of that it got a little twist, or sub-story, of itself of two young kids flirting with each other.
Despite being a remake, hence the story is known beforehand and quite predictable, it still gets that feeling of suspense and almost paranoia that the original does. Part of that must be credited to the actors. The suspense is perhaps most due to Mr. Turner, played by David Morse, maybe one of the more underrated actors in Hollywood. He has that uncanny ability to act all normal, almost too polite, but with a piercing look just freeze you.
Shia LeBouf I once had serious doubts about, but he has proved to be a reliable actor many times now, and delivers a solid performance here too. He has had a few productive years now and showed that he can handle many different genres well.
The movies best surprise was the female lead Sarah Roemer. With both looks and talent I'm a little surprised that I haven't seen her before somewhere, but that seems to be changing. And well deserved too, she handled herself very well against her more known co-actors.
In all it was a good thriller. But since it got no surprises it never took off to any real heights. But well worth it's time.
6/10