Wow

Rating: 9/10 (25 April 2003)

Yes, Wow.. and I mean it. This was a very intelligent film that I was afraid that it wouldn't live up to what the trailer offered for it. Well it not only lives up to it, it surpasses it. This movie starts off seeming like it would be a paint-by-numbers 'knock-em-off and guess who the killer is out of who is left' kind of flick. Then it's like the writer turns around from the driver's seat and says, "Ok now you really want to see where we're going?" Then he presses the 4 Wheel Drive button and off you go into the unpaved and bumpy terrain of suspense and thrills.
There is no way to guess how this all is going to turn up from the beginning.. nay.. even half way through the film. It's not till enough of the puzzle is even mentioned that you could even fashion a guess at what is going on. But trust me, that's a good thing.
I'll tell you guys now, the writer of this also was responsible for "Jack Frost" (yes the slasher one) and its sequel. But if "Identity" is any evidence of what this guy is capable of then I have no problems offering him the opportunity to thrill my movie prying eyes again.
It was really really well done and as I said, very intelligent. I put it on the intelligence level of smarter films like "The Usual Suspects", "Memento", and "The Sixth Sense".
As I said to a friend about this, to make "Identity" take one part Agatha Christie, add one part slasher film, and sprinkle a touch of "Primal Fear" and mix thoroughly.
Nice one, Michael. Good luck with future projects.