Yes, They STILL Make 'Em Like That Anymore.

Rating: 8/10 (18 September 2007)

Fans of David Fincher will be more than aware of his ability to tackle pretty much any genre of movie with style, skill and fluidity - Zodiac is no exception to this rule.
At a running time of 2h30m, you are never without something to grasp hold of, mull over or contemplate - no mean feat for a movie that is handling a subject that as a rule not only appeals to a specialist audience, but is unpretentious in its approach to the matter itself.
The shot sequences are superb as you would expect, the acting is played out to a rhythm rarely seen - but it's how the viewer almost 'becomes' part of a team (good or bad, you decide) is what separates this movie separates itself from the run of the mill, average 'good guy/bad guy' flick. Suspension of disbelief has never been more prevalent than in Zodiac, and when you're dealing with historical events that is an incredibly convincing accolade for the director.
Speaking of history, one of the immediate things you will notice during this movie is the overall 'feel'. It's like the director found a time machine, took some high-end digital cameras back to the epoch that it all happened and made it re-happen. There was something extremely gritty and realistic about 'cop' movies from the 70's - Fincher has encapsulated that sense of realism here with, it appears, frightening ease - but with the astute awareness of a genuine 21st century director.
Take all the best thrillers, the best cop movies from the last 30 years - you know, the stuff that you watched for the first time and thought; "Wow. That was really something else." - and with Zodiac, you will find that same feeling.
While it's not a patch on fictional 'cop' movies such as Heat or Serpico (simply because reality doesn't allow it), Zodiac is a great example, nay - an inspirational example, of how the tried and trusted method of making a movie based on fact without having to exaggerate or fabricate anything for a cheap thrill is really done.
If you're unaware of the subject matter, no matter. If you are, all the better. Fascinating and compelling stuff from start to finish, Zodiac is set (along with Fight Club) to go down as part of Fincher's finest works, and is testament to the age-old adage; "If it ain't broke, don't fix it.".
Many, many inspirations here, but most importantly Zodiac stands alone as a film about a true event in the best possible way - pulling you in from the very first moment, and leaving you with many, many questions of your own as the credits roll.
Buy it, borrow it, hell steal it - if only for the scene that pays homage to "Last House On The Left." (say no more, those who have seen both movies will know what I'm referring to), it's worth every blood red stained cent.
At 8.1 / 10, Zodiac falls just - and I mean just - short of Fight Club, but when you're trying to top a classic, it's hard to shine that ever loving light to it. Nevertheless, it's a gem and probably, arguably amongst the top 20 finest 'cop' movies ever made - and that in itself is something DF can be extremely proud of. Let's just hope his next movie is much more of the same.
Great stuff.