Refreshingly chilling sans gross-outs

Rating: 10/10 (20 June 2010)

This grisly tale is full of suspense. It does not pander to the current gross-out lust that permeates many recent thrillers. The story is intense and the sadistic violence is worthy of Hannibal Lector, but most of the ugliness takes place off-camera. Be advised: This is a profoundly intense movie! It will give you the creeps but, unlike many recent gore-fests, it is not a film you will wish you could un-see. It is, rather, a movie that invites multiple viewings. Anthony Hopkins move over! Gerard Butler is quite adept at playing the charming genius monster! That sums it up, but since IMDb requires 1000 words I will press on. Jamie Foxx is unremarkable in his role as assistant district attorney, but his performance is adequate. Gerard Butler upstages the rest of the cast. Bruce McGill who plays the district attorney has been a favorite of mine going back to his role in Animal House. Colm Meany is endearing as he aids Jamie Foxx in pursuit of our diabolic villain. These veteran actors are of my generation, but they seem to be aging more gracefully than I. Unlike myself, they enjoy the benefit of film immortality.