Viewed – 20 January 2008  DVD 

I really wish I had seen this pre 2008.  I had hesitated for numerous reasons…had missed it at cinema, and had heard it was drawn out, boring, long winded.  It’s a two and a half hour movie.  Yet I had sat through longer films and loved them (Heat, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Titanic), and when you consider the film is made by one of my favourites, Fight Club’s David Fincher…really, what was holding me back?  This is easily Top Ten material.

The true story of the 22 year long investigation into a serial killer calling himself Zodiac, who left clues to his identity via cryptic letters posted to the news papers, and grew to become an obsession for one former tabloid cartoonist.  What is most shocking about this case, is that he was never convicted or arrested for the murders, and died prior to the Police filing charges.  What follows is a thoroughly gripping Police / Reporter investigation and a series of facts and theories, that kept this viewer mesmerised…helped in no short way by Fincher’s stylish, assured direction and impressive turns from Jake Gyllenhaal and Robert Downey Jr. 

Now I may be a little biased, as this kind of stuff just hooks me, and maybe call it morbid fascination, but every ounce of detail swept me up and I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen.  When compared to Fincher’s Seven, I agree, it lacks that thrill factor, and even shy’s away from the nasty stuff (I’d say there’s about a half a pint of blood spilt the entire movie) – yet none of this mattered, as the story was so rich and enthralling that I wasn’t bored for a minute…and anyone who might be, should really be looking for a different film all together.

Verdict:  5 /5