Zodiac - The Director's Cut (2007)

Gyllenhaal's performance makes ''Zodiac'' worth watching

It seems like a lot of serial killers sprang up in the 1960s/70s. The Boston Strangler, Charles Manson, Ted Bundy, and The Hillside Stranglers all brought fright and terror to their cities. One of the more bizarre serial killers was The Zodiac, who operated in the San Francisco area beginning in 1968. The film ''Zodiac'' focuses on the events surrounding his killings and how the case drove one man following the case nearly out of his mind.

In the movie the Zodiac killer begins his murder spree by shooting some young couples then eventually striking right in the heart of San Francisco. He then taunts the San Francisco Chronicle's staff with cryptic letters and proof that he knew secret details about the gruesome murders. The paper's cartoonist, Robert Graysmith (portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal) becomes obsessed with the case, along with the lead journalist Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.)

As the case progresses Downey's character becomes overwhelmed by personal demons and police make little progress in finding the killer. But Graysmith continues to hunt for clues, even as the killings stop and life moves on. Eventually Graysmith alienates everyone around him, annoys the police, and develops unsubstantiated theories about the Zodiac's identity, but a great personal cost.

The film has some good performances by Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo as one of the detectives, and Chloe Sevigny as Graysmith's wife. But Gyllenhaal is most memorable as the somewhat nerdy, obsessed, and driven character trying to unmask the killer. The film's setting in the Northern California affords some great cinematography work too. On the down side the plot is plodding at times and the ending is somewhat uneventful. It is worth watching if the case interests you, but don't be surprised if you come away somewhat unfulfilled. October 2, 2008

Very Entertaining

One of the best Robert Downey, Jr. movies. He takes from personal experience being an alcoholic/druggy and it comes across a screen. Really great story line. Definitely a movie that will be around for a while. September 23, 2008

The Zodiac Killer.

This is an awesome movie and is an even better purchase. This dvd comes with great special features including a featurette outlining the entire non-fictional investigation of the "the Zodiac killer". This movie keeps you second guessing yourself at all times as to who the killer is. Awesome movie. Worth the money. September 22, 2008

Great movie.

Storytelling at its best. Fincher does a wonderful job with this story, and I also loved the extras including documentaries, as well as David Fincher's commentary. August 17, 2008

Great story line, First Class acting by Gyllenhaal, Ruffalo and Downey Jr.

Unlike other reviews that felt the movie was a bit too long, I felt that the pacing fit perfectly with all the principals investigative skills and the fantastic and engrossing acting abilities of Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr. and Elias Koteas. You feel the tension, pain, confusion and frustration these [investigators], both police and journalist experienced through their investigation(s) of this infamous murder suspect. Brian Cox played a short but admirable part as Attorney Melvin Belli; who's office I once had the pleasure of "visiting", picking up legal documents as a process server in the City of San Francisco. What a character he was. And what a great group of good-looking "female legal assistants" he had in that office.

The more I watch such top-notch acting jobs performed by these stars, the more I appreciate how much work and effort they put into their jobs that sometimes make you feel like they're the real characters and not acting. Superb Directing by David Fincher.

What a great movie. I live right next to San Francisco (Daly City) and was in high school when these killings started. They were the talk of the town. One of the best murder-suspense movies ever made. August 15, 2008

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