Zodiac [Blu-ray]
Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 01/13/2009 Run time: 162 minutes Rating: R Closer in spirit to a police procedural than a gory serial-killer flick, David Fincher’s Zodiac provides a sleek, armrest-gripping re-invention of the crime film. It surveys the investigation of the Zodiac killings that terrorized the San Francisco Bay area in the late -60-early -70s; Zodiac not only killed people, but cultivated a Jack the Ripper aura by sending icky letters to the newspapers and daring readers to solve coded messages. But the film’s focus isn’t on the killer. We follow the reporters and detectives whose lives are taken over by the case, notably an addictive crime writer (a sartorially splendid Robert Downey Jr.), an awkward editorial cartoonist (Jake Gyllenhaal), and a hard-working cop (Mark Ruffalo). Fincher and his brilliant cinematographer Harris Savides are deft at capturing the period feel of the city, without laying on the seventies kitsch, and James Vanderbilt’s script doles out its big moments to major and minor characters alike. Fincher’s confidence is infectious; the movie glides through its myriad details with such dexterity that even the blind alleys and red herrings seem essential. The well-chosen cast includes unexpected people popping up all over: Anthony Edwards as a lunch-bucket homicide cop; Charles Fleischer as a mysterious suspect; Elias Koteas and Donal Logue as small-town policemen whose districts are hit by Zodiac; Chloe Sevigny as Gyllenhaal’s sweet-natured wife; Brian Cox as the media-friendly lawyer Melvin Belli, so famous he once appeared on Star Trek; and the mighty John Carroll Lynch, as a supremely creepy suspect. The film is based on non-fiction books by Robert Graysmith (he’s portrayed by Gyllenhaal), although Fincher and co. did extensive research on their own. The result is a propulsive whodunit without (thus far) an ending, but the uncertainty makes the film even more intriguing. –Robert Horton
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars 4 STARS FOR THE SINGLE DISC
ZODIAC
This movie is actually a very interesting and entertaining look at a coward named [self named] The Zodiac Killer. For those who have read my other review [The Zodiac Killer-which was a good movie over all] about this fame seeking individual will know what I think of this chump. This seemed like a real event to me when I was watching it [as in the movie felt real, I know the events actually took place] since the atmosphere, writing, direction, and acting seemed to be in top order. For fans of serial killer movies and movie fans over all this is worth while flick that is purchase worthy in my opinion. Of course I am sure you all know what it is basically about, the killer right? Kinda
While the movie is basically about this guy the true story lies within the people who covered the killings and the ones who investigated them. And even then it is not truly about those people it is about how it affected their lives and changed them. You may be saying well that means it is about them then, no because how it affected them is basically how it affected the whole area. This movie is about the impact this glory hound had on the population during this time, the book on which this is based is great by the way.
Any way the film follows a couple of different people from the lead investigators to other police officers from different areas, and of course the newspaper employees who followed this case as well. It was interesting to see these people go through changes that altered their lives forever; some just gave up while stayed obsessed with the case. Director David Fincher who you may know from making other great films like “Seven and Fight Club” I believe does a great job with this movie. Although you will say to yourself at one point or another “this is a long movie” it still is a great viewing experience. James Vanderbilt’s screenplay based on Robert Graysmith’s book is wonderful and really brings the people on screen to life.
Speaking of author Robert Graysmith he is played wonderfully by Jake Gyllenhaal whose obsession with the case drives him closer and closer to an answer he will never truly get. Maybe one day but as far as the book and film even though he believes he knows who the Zodiac is he will never truly get the answer as of now. Jake is great n this film and you can see the transformation of an everyday average guy to a man who becomes so obsessed that he alienates his own family. Mark Ruffalo is great as well playing Inspector David Toschi as is Anthony Edwards who plays Inspector William Armstrong. Both do great jobs in this film and are truly upset that they never caught their man.
One of my favorite actors out there Robert Downey Jr. is excellent as usual playing Paul Avery. This guy goes from being one of the most confident people ever to being reduced to a shell of his former self, even though he ends up helping more then he thinks when Robert comes to see him. Another great performance comes in the form of John Carroll Lynch who plays the lead suspect Arthur Leigh Allen. Both these guys deliver well and add a lot to the film, glad both were cast in this. Still everyone that was in this movie deserves credit because all were good and deserve praise for their acting abilities.
This is a little more held back as far as blood and stuff compared to the filmmakers previous films but that adds to the atmosphere in my opinion. This is a wonderful movie that I truly believe most would enjoy even if it feels a bit long. The only problem is that if you want some special features you have to buy the two disc version, this single disc has nothing on it really. Still if it is all you can find the movie alone is worth it, go rent, buy or what ever this movie.
5 Stars Review of the blu ray 2 disc edition
Wow. The blu ray presentation of ZODIAC is absolutely spectacular and everything that was great about this film is exemplified 100% as blu ray is used to its fullest effect. This film has always been a 5 star outing for me. It takes a new approach to true crime and instead follows the lengthy journey of police and reporters as they follow the leads and try to find the mysterious Zodiac killer. The ensemble cast is exemplary with all doing some of their best work. Some of the killings are shown and they are done without over the top gore. Instead they are realistically shot which instills an even greater fear into the viewer. When the killer approaches a couple and the woman exclaims “He has a gun !!” my insides quiver as if it was happening to me.
The film manages to follow the history of the Zodiac’s killings while being a police procedural and investigative piece all at the same time. The viewer feels how each characters life is involved with and changed by this case. There is trepidation, suspense and great drama with a superb script and amazing directing.
Now, back to the blu ray version of this film. This is a brand new release and I needed an update on my blu ray player to view it. Very easy to do. And the 1080 high def pic is striking. The visual clarity is amazing and darks, brights, etc. are all excellent. Day and night scenes are both just as vibrant. And the 5.1 Dolby TrueHD audio is amazing. This seems to be a film basically dialogue driven but all 5 speakers are put to amazing use here. The dialogue is totally crisp and this film also possesses an amazing score of 70s music. It comes from all the speakers as does city background noise. All 5 speakers are continuously in use. It is as if viewing the film for the 1st time and I was in awe. This audion track makes the film a new experience.
And for me this 2 disc Director’s cut is the first blu ray to take advantage and provide exemplary special features. There is an extensive commentary with the film and disc 2 contains a documentary on the making of the film, an in depth look at the prime suspect thru real participants in the search and most importantly an almost 2 hour feature length documentary THIS IS THE ZODIAC SPEAKING which chronicles every aspect of the investigation including in depth interviews with even surviving victims. All the special features are presented in HD and are worth the price of this set in themselves.
This film is a quality piece of work and this 2 disc Directors Cut blu ray shows blu ray at its best and is a must. I highly recommend it.
3 Stars Zodiac
“Zodiac” had a couple of really good scare moments, but this movie is way too long and uneven in my opinion. Great performances all around especially by Jake Gyllenhal and Mark Ruffalo, good soundtrack, all come together in a slow-paced thriller that could have benefited from shortening. Overall, well worth at least renting.
5 Stars The Zodiac (Blu-ray)
I am a Blu-ray disc enthusiast and I have to say that this film has been given top notch treatment in its transter to HD. I owned this film in Standard DVD and now own it on Blu-ray disc and the difference in video quality is amazing. While the Standard DVD looked good upconverted to 1080p in my HDTV, it simply could not match the three-dimensionality, vibrant color, and detail of the Blu-ray version. This is one of the best Blu-ray discs I have seen and would highly recommend it to fans of the film.
5 Stars A must-have blu-ray.
This a top quality film in every aspect, of course I love most of David Fincher’s work. Zodiac is also one of the best blu-rays out there. The presentation is so realistic it really is as if you are looking through a window and if you reach through you could feel the textures and experience the atmosphere. If this blu does not make you go WOW you most likely need to adjust your display’s picture settings.
Filed under: Blue Ray Movie Reviews