Ripe with powerful imagery, "Suspect Zero" is a movie truly to be watched. Imagery and symbolism are central components of this movie, which pairs a simultaneously composed and tortured Ben Kingsley with the equally composed and tortured Aaron Eckhart, each playing former and current FBI agents trying to compose some meaning to the present from the wreckage of the past.
They both have similar giftings - they are able to see the future. Kingsley in particular is tortured by his inability to control this gift.
A highly prolific killer is running around the country, picking up children - dozens, probably hundreds of children. He tortures then kills them.
We are never quite sure if Kingsley is this killer until close to the end, though the truth is pretty much telegraphed throughout.
Eckhart is respectable as the straight-arrow FBI agent who went too far and got knocked down a few pegs in his career. His obsession with the case parallels Kingsley's and makes for an interesting contrast of styles.
This movie falls on the side of intense. I admired the production values, which called for hundreds of well-composed charcoal drawings, many of which drive the plot. There is dark, sometimes demonic imagery, though I don't think it's laid on too thick. The visual style reminded me vaguely of "Seven," however no director can quite match Fincher's unique visual composition and cinematography. All the shots are carefully composed and the movie never really falters in its editing and pacing.
This is a solid 7 stars. The premise was interesting, plot kept engaging and apace by timing, and the acting solid all around.
Why not 10 of 10 in the rating? Perhaps because the movie ultimately didn't strike me as anything special, even given its relatively A-grade production and acting values. It was interesting, engaging, but ultimately didn't seem to amount to much. The story arc seemed to go off a cliff at the end.
Certainly, still, a worthwhile viewing.
They both have similar giftings - they are able to see the future. Kingsley in particular is tortured by his inability to control this gift.
A highly prolific killer is running around the country, picking up children - dozens, probably hundreds of children. He tortures then kills them.
We are never quite sure if Kingsley is this killer until close to the end, though the truth is pretty much telegraphed throughout.
Eckhart is respectable as the straight-arrow FBI agent who went too far and got knocked down a few pegs in his career. His obsession with the case parallels Kingsley's and makes for an interesting contrast of styles.
This movie falls on the side of intense. I admired the production values, which called for hundreds of well-composed charcoal drawings, many of which drive the plot. There is dark, sometimes demonic imagery, though I don't think it's laid on too thick. The visual style reminded me vaguely of "Seven," however no director can quite match Fincher's unique visual composition and cinematography. All the shots are carefully composed and the movie never really falters in its editing and pacing.
This is a solid 7 stars. The premise was interesting, plot kept engaging and apace by timing, and the acting solid all around.
Why not 10 of 10 in the rating? Perhaps because the movie ultimately didn't strike me as anything special, even given its relatively A-grade production and acting values. It was interesting, engaging, but ultimately didn't seem to amount to much. The story arc seemed to go off a cliff at the end.
Certainly, still, a worthwhile viewing.