Extremely Intriguing

Rating: 9/10 (15 April 2007)

Zodiac is a film about the serial killer (titled the 'Zodiac Killer') who terrorized the bay area from the late 60s to the late 70s. This is the real zodiac killer- not the fake one. I say that because horror movie Primeval, from earlier this year, dubbed the killer in that movie as the zodiac killer (along with a bunch of exaggerated titles), even though it was a crocodile. Ahem Zodiac is a movie of many genres: it begins as a horror, then dives into an intense drama. Once the story picks up, the movie becomes a thriller, then back to horror, and finally ending as a drama. Scenes that normally would be average are scary and intense. Conversations that would normally make an American yawn are surprisingly in-depth and interesting, all the while not going overboard to make an overly-complex story. After all, this movie is based, not inspired on, by true events.
Anyways, about the story- it's insanely smart, well-directed and written, glorifying the Zodiac killer while at the same time giving the characters the same treatment. After his first few brutal murders, the killer mocks the San Francisco Chronicle and the San Francisco Police Department with letters mailed to them telling them just who he is and what he plans on doing next. Hard feelings develop between the paper and the Police Department, each of them believing that they are the ones who should solve the murders. Zodiac moves at a fast-paced style very smoothly, as the movie covers the whole case, from when it started in 1968 to when it unofficially ends in 1991.
The Day After Tomorrow's Jake Gyllenhall is Robert Greysmith, a cartoonist for the Chronicle who has a crazy ability to remember things on no notice and a desire to finish what he (or anyone else, for that matter) starts. Columnist Paul Avery (Robert Downey, Jr.) works alongside Greysmith with the paper. These two are up against two large obstacles: the Zodiac killer and David Toschi (Mark Ruffalo), an inspector from the SFPD. It would seem that, you know, the capture of this deranged killer would be the important issue, but when duty calls, ego and the rules of hierarchy come into play. At first the two sides work together, but soon, Avery's independent antics and such cause the SFPD and the Chronicle to break off their unofficial partnership, which only started because they both received mailings from the Zodiac.
Yes, Zodiac is 158 minutes long. But let me just put it this way: I nearly fell asleep in school that day that I saw this movie. I could barely workout due to my fatigue. But, somehow, I was alert throughout the entire movie. I look back at David Fincher's previous movie, Panic Room (2002), and notice that he has an eye for talent. Zodiac is a movie that I strongly recommend to those who like to think and be entertained at the same time. Odd combination.
Good) Crazily thrilling and thought provoking, great acting, doesn't "overdue it"
Bad) a little foggy here and there
Jake Gyllenhall) Quick at picking up the phone
Not as bad as it really was) Zodiac's portrayal of late 70s and early 80s clothing styles