Fincher's Best Film Yet

Rating: 8/10 (26 July 2008)

I had my doubts about this one. Robert Graysmith's book is a disjointed mess that focuses in on a suspect who quite clearly was not the Zodiac. Fincher himself is a director whose most praised works have left me cold - Fight Club was a one-trick movie as bad as Haute Tension, the ludicrously named se7en a tacky torture porn piece with big name stars and none of the genuine frisson that proper horror movies give (artistically on a level with Hostel). The only reason I watched this was because I liked his underrated The Game a few years back. I won't delve into the plot, not that it is that important - always a sign of a good film. Fincher has obviously made this with one eye on All The President's Men, a very 70's New Hollywood feel permeates the film. The film is coolly shot on digital cameras which really show there worth here. Performances are generally good and Downey Jr is outstanding, as is the soundtracks use of contemporary music. Fincher's previous films have shown that he knew how to make movies, hopefully he has now cast of the juvenile impulses that spoiled them.