i was fortunate enough to attend an advance screening for the upcoming thriller conspiracy theory .
this was , of course , a big deal for me because reviewing movies is basically just a hobby for me
and i never get a chance at something like this .
not only did i get to see an advance screening , i was able to see an advance screening of a * very good * movie .
the very fast - paced film stars mel gibson as jerry fletcher , a fast - talking , witty , comical taxi driver in new york city .
gibson 's performance is terrific , and his character is similar to that of martin riggs in the lethal weapon films .
gibson again teams up with richard donner , as he did in the lethal weapon films and maverick , and this time around , the combination works even better .
the character of jerry fletcher is indeed unique . try to imagine a toned - downed version of travis bickle who , this time around , is a jittery guy with knowledge of government conspiracy cover - ups . if you can imagine that , then you 've basically got jerry fletcher .
in many ways , i was surprised by this movie .
to begin with , i was surprised at how good it was
.
do n't get me wrong , it 's not going to be accepting any gold trophies next spring , but it was a very enjoyable movie .
secondly , i was surprised at mel gibson 's performance .
he provided a fantastic performance .
the previews of this film led me to believe it was an all - out action flick , which after viewing , it was almost the opposite in a certain sense .
gibson 's character has an almost uncountable number of one - liners , hilarious situations , and his character is one that the audience tends to side with throughout the film .
for instance , jerry 's apartment ( and especially his security ) is memorable .
and last , i was surprised at how good the plot is .
writer brian helgeland has created a terrific story , and when watching this film , you are left to wonder if all of jerry fletcher 's far - fetched ( or so they seem at first )
conspiracy theories are helgeland 's own opinions .
mel gibson is n't the only stand - out in the film .
julia roberts is very good in her performance as alice sutton , the department of justice employee who ca n't seem to stay away from jerry fletcher , who continually visits alice in hopes that she will do something about his theories .
he also seems obsessed and in love with her .
but whenever he approaches her with another one of his theories , she shrugs him and his beliefs off , continually noting that one day she is going to slap a restraining order on him .
jerry , obviously determined to continually seek out the truth , continues to research information for his next conspiracy theory , which will be printed in his newsletter ( same title as the movie ) .
although he only has five subscribers , he puts a large amount of time and effort into his work , and publishes his next edition .
very soon after he does so , he is abducted and tortured by a sinister man who refers to himself as dr .
jonas ( patrick stewart ) .
after barely escaping alive , jerry is forced to turn to the only person he can trust : alice sutton .
the remainder of the film is almost always fast - paced and full of action and suspense , with jerry 's life being constantly put into jeopardy .
and more along the way , the audience ( and alice ) learn more and more about jerry 's life .
many things are explained throughout this film , both to the characters and to the audience .
for instance , the meaning of the book " the catcher in the rye " and its ties to assassins , the reason lone gunmen have three names ( e . g .
lee
harvey oswald and james earl ray ) , and the real truth behind the grateful dead .
make sure listen closely throughout the film , as jerry is constantly throwing out interesting tidbits such as the above .
definitely , when conspiracy theory hits theaters august 8th
, make sure you are standing in line to see it .
i am nearly positive everyone should enjoy this film , especially if you are into an action - thriller with witty dialogue and numerous suspenseful situations .
and even if you are n't , you should still like this film .
Output: P