excellent true crime film

Rating: 8/10 (11 January 2008)

Zodiac...a film that was somewhat ignored upon it's original release hopefully will find new life with the issuing of the stellar director's cut on DVD.
It was one of my favorite films from last year. Watching the director's cut reconfirms it. The dc doesn't add much running time to the movie..but the additions were welcome.
Back to the film. Zodiac shows a real maturity for director Fincher after his forgettable "style exercise" panic room. The film has a gripping slow build that is a welcome relief to all the add directed movies of today. Fincher's direction compliments mostly great acting from all involved. No overtly flash for flash sakes moments in the film. The direction is stylized but in a more organic way.
This organic method also makes "Zodiac" the most convincing film environment Fincher has created. The film has this almost documentary film that really pulls you in.
It would be unfair to discuss the film's success without mentioning the incredible screenplay. The writer (forget his name) made some choices that were surprising and believable. The procedural part of the movie felt spot in. but
---spoilers---
it's the next to the last scene in the movie that really blew me away. It's the traditional protagonist meets antagonist moment. But there is not much dialog..no real action...just two people looking at each other and finding a kind of closure. The writer deserves credit to trust the audience to just look at people thinking..not saying a word..while conveying all that is needed to be said.
--spoilers end---
Course it is mandatory that the audience is PAYING ATTENTION and maybe this faith the writer had in the audience resulted in a weak theatrical run for the film. Maybe the writer gave to much credit to the average movie goer. However, I am pretty sure this film will be remembered for years to come.
end kdc