Well worth the wait, Dicaprio is stunning and Scorcese's best since Goodfellas

Rating: 9/10 (22 February 2010)

I've been a huge fan of the book by Dennis Lehane. Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone, now this. So far, both Clint Eastwood and Ben Affleck have done a brilliant job in adapting his work. Now up to bat, one of the greatest directors of the past 100 years: Martin Scorsese.
Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Cape Fear, Raging Bull, Casino, Gangs of New York, The Departed, The Aviator, and Mean Streets. I can say this man is a genius film maker, and can tell stories in multiple ways. Going into this film, I have felt confident in making a great film and a great tribute to film in general.
Now before you start to question the review, this movie was brilliant. It was perfect as both a adaptation and as a movie in general. I've haven't been blown away from a book adaptation since watching Fight Club in 2006 for the very first time after ignoring it due to bad reviews. I have regret that decision, since its in my top 5 movies ever made.
Now 2 for 2, Lehane's Shutter Island is out. Whats to say? Its top notch in all categories. Dicaprio gives a stunning and a haunting performance that tops all his previous performances, and IMO only the Aviator has yet to fall to this film. He was subtle and when time came for the emotional reveal (which is one of the best delivered twist I've ever seen), he was golden. The flashback scenes alone make this film a must-see. Great cinematography and set design show the horror that is Shutter Island. And the music: left me with my mouth open.
Overall, without dragging on, most critics and people on this board got this film wrong. If they discovered the twist via-the trailer, I highly doubt they saw the other sides Scorsese was trying to show people. Also, for the critics who gave this film low ratings, most of them were comparing it to Scorsese's other works. OF COURSE THIS ISN'T GOODFELLAS OR RAGING BULL, IDIOTS! AND NO, ITS NOT HIS BEST FILM! SO SEE IT AS Something NEW AND DON'T NIT-PICK SMALL PROBLEMS IN A ALMOST FLAWLESS FILM. Without some scenes dragging out longer then they would have been, this would have been a perfect film. Lehane fans like myself can breath lightly now we have a great film at hand.
Rating: Really a 9.5/10.