Neatly executed, but useless story for film

Rating: 6/10 (13 July 2007)

I really have no idea what is so special about this one killer that it needs so many remakes and books about it? We get to see a lot of really fine actors and amazing actresses do what they're good at, but this is like watching a repeat of a story we all know too well (even if we don't, because we could make this one up ourselves!). You'll be watching this wondering how much it has cost, and why they wasted it on such a thin story.
I did not have a problem with the duration, it was all done very well; the scenery, the sets, the sixties, seventies, eighties were all portrayed like only these guys can, and it's nice to see these actors perform so well, but it doesn't extend from that. I had a similar feeling after The Departed. Something too artificial and forced about it all. It just doesn't get to you as much as it's supposed to.
Some movies I'd recommend instead, somewhat neglected, but actually more worth your time: "Wolf Creek", "The Matador", "Blood Diamond", heck, I'm sorry for those involved, but even "Vacancy" and "Hot Fuzz" were more exciting to watch than Zodiac. Or, if you can, please see the TV-series "Dexter". It blows away a movie like this in all aspects. Or even a series like "24". After seeing those, a cheap story-line like the one in Zodiac, completely pales in comparison.
It then comes as no surprise that the high rating on IMDb is not appropriate. This shall go down in time, no doubt, as it doesn't belong in the Top 250. It honestly isn't worth more than a 6.2 rating here; The story seems to have no moral to it, it comes across as useless, the scenario is often too difficult, slow and uninteresting, and I blame those who created it for pretending not to know or see this. I'm certain they knew what they were filming wasn't very interesting. People get killed everywhere, under fascinating circumstances, and this is what you come up with? I didn't pay to watch it (friend borrowed me her DVD), would have felt ripped off if I had.