Not "Out-of-Left Field" Original, but much better paced and more convincing than any other movie like it.

Rating: 8/10 (21 January 2010)

The Usual Suspects is one of those movies that is excellent without being entirely fresh and new. It does, however, basically take all of it's influences and incorporate them seamlessly into an intense, mind-bending, and entertaining plot. This might be my favorite Modern Crime movie, and sit just below the Untouchables and The Godfather overall.
Kevin Spacey is phenomenal in this movie. He just nailed this role like I didn't think he could, and by the time the credits rolled, I was convinced that no one could take his place in this movie. This movie actually has decent acting from a Baldwin, as frightening as that may sound. Aside from some really unnecessary and distracting antics in the beginning of the movie, he comes into his own and becomes a somewhat enjoyable and important part of the movie.
In addition to nearly every main actor having their best performance in this movie, it keeps the viewer intrigued without relying on any cheap gimmicks that have become so popular in Crime Drama film and TV. Some say that the plot develops too slowly, but I think that the pacing of this movie is just about as good as it could be.
It's really difficult to review this film without giving anything away, but it just about meets every requirement a crime movie could have, and then some, and although it isn't the most novel idea ever made, its convincing enough that it will keep you guessing until the end.