Effective cat and mouse.

Rating: 8/10 (1 October 2003)

Very effective cat and mouse psychological thriller. Nice suspense even WITH Pacino.
I'm not a fan of Al Pacino's work. I haven't really liked but 6 or so films he's ever done, so I didn't have high expectations of this movie. That, combined with my fore-knowledge that the copy I had skipped and fluttered, didn't have me on the edge of my seat to watch it.
I watched this movie as a test study, actually. I watched this movie as a test study concerning the possible worth and watchability of the upcoming new release of Batman (Batman 5). Since Chris Nolan is listed as the director of this new undertaking, I thought I would check him out.
I must say that I was delightfully surprised. This is a wonderful cat and mouse "time is running out" suspense with twists and turns you never expect.
I found it unpredictable and edgy. Williams always struck me as the type who would do this genre quite well. I'm happy to see him spreading his wings beyond comedic/character acting. This could be the beginning of a whole new career for him. Quite honestly, I hope so. I have felt for some time that his style of comedy had just about run its course. Way to go, Robin Williams! It must have taken great courage to try a movie like this, after all these years of comedy/dramas. Hats off.
I will not outline the plot here. Everyone else does that and I find it tedious after a while. But I will say that if you like a good suspense, a dark quirky cat and mouse, this is the movie for you.
Excellent remake, as well. That is indeed a rarity.
And in conclusion, I feel that if Chris Nolan devotes the same level of darkness and atmosphere to Batman 5 that he did to this movie, he just may save the series and kick-start a whole new run of (hopefully) good Batman movies.
Here's hoping.
It rates a solid 8/10 from...
the Fiend :.