Zodiac

You should know, before watching this, that the real life story it’s based on is incomplete. The Zodiac killer has never been caught; the police have long since dropped the case; only 1 of the 4 cryptograms the killer sent to the police has been decrypted so far. I say this because of you’re expecting this very long film to wrap up with a conclusion, you’re going to be extremely disappointed. In fact, if you’re expecting anything interesting to happen in the film at all, apart from a couple of recreations of the killer’s attacks (there were no witnesses to most of them). It all rather plays like a very long episode of the BBC show “Crimewatch”... with the same anti-climactic ending as you realise that the case is yet to be solved. I normally like David Fincher’s movies but this one was an utter waste of time.

A brilliant telling of the Zodiac murders. Paced to perfection, brilliantly acted and scripted. For under a fiver you simply cannot go wrong.

The film covers the unfurling of crime and subsequent investigation lasting years, while keeping up suspense. Great performances by Downey Jr and Ruffalo.

Fanatics film to watch , 5*

Brilliant acting and cinematography, but just...boring. The movie is pretty true to real life events- which is why the film is so monotonous- the actual case after the murders was pretty damn uneventful! There are a couple of meaty scenes at the beginning, but the rest is just endless phone calls, meetings and speculation - an obsession with micro details. Halfway into the third hour I gave up. Some film buffs may love it - and I can see why - but I like to watch a movie to unwind and be entertained. If you are expecting another Fight Club or Seven you will be horribly disappointed.

David Fincher is a master story teller. This film had us present and engaged from start to finish on a trilling ride. There is an understated brilliance in the script, direction and acting.