TrueJoshNight
Truly Dreadful Film
Senteur
As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.
Arianna Moses
Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.
Allissa
.Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.
sfsolo
In 1969 San Francisco patrol officers didn't wear shoulder patches, also the police vehicles ( 79 model Fords and newer ) shown didn't exist in 1969 ...
Matt Greene
The greatness of Zodiac is in it's monotony. The detectives' and journalists' wide-eyes slowly begin to sag as they seem to get further away from catching the infamous killer. We descend into madness with these characters; their obsession becomes ours, leaving us as flustered and frustration as they are. And because of its length and scope, you really experience the passing of every increasingly defeating year.
The Movie Diorama
I remember watching this for the first time a few years ago thinking it was an unmemorable slow drag. Revisiting this was an excellent idea. Why? Well my opinion has changed. Based on the Zodiac killings of California back in the late 60s, a journalist, cartoonist and homicide detective are entangled in a seemingly uncrackable case. With each murder, the killer leaves a cryptic message behind for the San Fransisco Chronicle to publish. On the surface this is a dark crime mystery, however underneath the authentic 60s production value is a story about obsession. How it can manifest and manipulate your mind, turning yourself into a determined individual but at the cost of losing your job, friends and family. These three employees became so fixated on publicising The Zodiac and attempting to uncover the suspect behind the codes, that actually it became a detriment to them. The lavish direction from renowned director David Fincher illustrated the case as if we, the viewers, were apart of the team. The evidence was meticulously presented so that we could attempt to work it out ourselves, which is where the thrills and emotional investment come into play. The slow paced story allowed the characters to truly interact with each other and become fully developed, thus conveying the concept of obsession enigmatically. Gyllenhaal, Ruffalo and Downey Jr had a fair share of screen time where each of the three acts focussed on one character in greater detail, whilst still progressing the case in a linear narrative. Not a easy task, but Fincher made it look effortless. The basement scene towards the end was heart pounding, Fincher did not need to conform to typical thriller traits to create suspense. The constant time hopping between scenes prevented a narrative flow, it felt disconnected occasionally. One day later, one year later, seven and a half years later...we get it, the case went on for a long time. Despite being a slow burner, this mystery will keep you glued to the screen. Taut, tense and thrilling!
betty dalton
Zodiac is a movie based on a true seventies story about the hunt for a serial killer. The true grit of this movie comes from the portraits of normal everyday people who are just losing it, bit by bit, while searching for clues who is this mysterious serial killer. The subtle soundtrack enhances this feeling of being lost in a maze with no end. The suspense isnt found in violence being comitted but in violence being left in the shadows.It is always spookier when you dont know who is attacking you.The director David Fincher (Seven) made a movie that creeps under your skin, but does so very slowly and sideways, with lots of really funny scenes in which the characters of Jake Gylenhaal and Robert Downey Jr, easily win you over with their unfortunate sink or swim charm. Well over 2 hours long, this movie feels like it could have been even longer with still masses of suspense around each new plot turn. A movie which gives me goosebumps writing about it, because the obsessive search by Jake Gylenhaal to find the serial killer is performed, photographed and directed with such excellence that this movie really creeped me out... And I loved every minute of it!