ZODIAC

"A will go on a kill rampage"

1969, when the San Francisco Chronicle receives a letter and a cipher from someone claiming to have murdered three people, cartoonist Robert Graysmith (Gyllenhaal) is instantly fascinated. Demanding that it placed on the front page of the paper or he will go on a kill rampage throughout the San Francisco Bay area, the press and the police are forced to work together to discover who this killer but the man who calls himself the Zodiac is not going to be easy to catch.

The case of the Zodiac killer has inspired many a movie and novel but can David Fincher's version be the definitive telling of the story?

One of the most acclaimed and visual filmmakers working in the industry today, everyone takes notice when David Fincher releases a movie. After misfiring with 'Alien3', the man who made his name in music videos followed that up with a string of critically acclaimed and commercially successful hits. 'Se7en', 'The Game', 'Fight Club' and 'Panic Room' proved that he is a filmmaker that everyone should take notice, producing movies that are as fascinating as they are visually stunning.

'Zodiac' sees David Fincher grow as a moviemaker as he takes on a real life story and transfers it to the silver screen. Based on Robert Graysmith's novel and the case files and articles written about the Zodiac, Fincher's film takes an almost documentary approach is telling the events that took place over three decades. Starting in the 1960s and following the investigation by San Francisco Inspector David Toschi and Chronicle cartoonist Robert Graysmith as they try and discover the identity of one of the most infamous killers in US history. While there have been more prolific killers in American history, the Zodiac killer is one that held a fascination because of the way he communicated with the police and the press, revealing his intentions via letters and encoded ciphers that contained messages and his agenda. Killing indiscriminately, changing his pattern and even claiming credit for murders he didn't even commit, the Zodiac is one of the most studied cases in US history and the one that inspired many a novel, TV show and film, most noticeably the Clint Eastwood classic 'Dirty Harry'.

Taking this approach means that the performances from the cast have to be exceptionally good and very realistic in their portrayal of real life characters. Leading the line are two actors that have gained many a plaudit for their performances in the past, Jake Gyllenhaal and Mark Ruffalo. San Francisco Chronicle cartoonist turned investigative journalist Robert Graysmith is played with the right about of obsession and fascination by Gyllenhaal and the same can be said about Ruffalo as Inspector David Toschi, the man who becomes consumed by the case. Robert Downey Jr. continues his return to form after his much publicised personal problems with another fine performance as journalist Paul Avery. There is also good support from Anthony Edwards as Inspector William Armstrong, Brian Cox as author, actor and psychologist Melvin Belli, Chloë Sevigny as Graysmith's wife Melanie and John Carroll Lynch as prime suspect Arthur Leigh Allen.

'Zodiac' shows that David Fincher is becoming almost the perfect filmmaker. A visual artist, an actor's director and now a filmmaker that can tackle the factual as well as fictional, David Fincher is a cinematic shining light. 'Zodiac' is a movie that will fascinate and enthral, with its intelligent storytelling and approach, while it maybe slightly overlong, this is a film that will stay with you for a very long time.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Widescreen 2.35:1 Anamorphic with Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, the transfer is good.

BONUS FEATURES

This is Zodiac (27.00 mins)
Director David Fincher, author Robert Graysmith, retired Vallejo Police Officer Detective George Bewart and stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr, Chloë Sevigny and Anthony Edwards talk about the Zodiac murders that plagued the San Francisco Bay area from 1969 and was never caught. The group talk about the impact of the case and how it has affected not just the people involved but those bringing the story to the silver screen. They also talk about their reasons for getting involved and the characters they portrayed.

Trailers
Previews of 'Zodiac: Director's Cut', '300' and 'Blood Diamond'

OVERALL

The featurette is good but that is the only thing added to the theatrical version of 'Zodiac'. The fact that the Director's cut is advertised on the DVD will disappoint those who wanted to see the full version of the movie and enjoy all the extras associated with the movie.

DVD

Se7en

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2007