Give it a chance! It's actually pretty good.

Rating: 8/10 (15 November 2010)

They say curiosity killed the cat. In the case of The Number 23, curiosity provided me with a good couple hours of entertainment. After witnessing many a negative review on the film, I decided to check it out myself and I was pleasantly surprised. I wouldn't say that this is the best movie ever. But it is much better than critics have given it credit for! The Number 23 is just as it sets out to be: a good psych thriller/mystery story that isn't too fancy or ridiculous. Granted, the fantasy world does require a bit of suspension of reality, but is it really that hard to watch a muscular, tattooed Jim Carrey? I don't think so.
But this film has merit other than physical attraction. I was very impressed by Carrey's turn at serious acting, and wouldn't mind if he tried it more often. Of course, comedy is his forte and he is talented at that. But this serious role was just as good as his comedic work. Critics didn't like it because they aren't used to it. But Carrey can't always be Lloyd from Dumb & Dumber; he is allowed to play more intelligent characters (I still love Dumb & Dumber, don't get me wrong). A performance like this helps you appreciate his diversity as an actor.
There were also many complaints as to how the film was written. What's to complain about? No, its not Inception. But its plot flows nicely, uses logical progression, and has a satisfying ending. It's an entertaining story that gets your mind going about just what numbers and relationships might mean to you. It might not be Best Picture material, but The Number 23 is well worth watching, especially for those who enjoy suspense!