Jodie and Jodie Jr. Panic stricken.

Shawn

JB

Shawn: Being a huge David Fincher fan, I had to see this movie, even though the story of it didn't seem that interesting to me. It deals with a recently divorced Meg Altman (Jodie Foster).

JB: Obviously in homage to Fincher's favorite character-driven director.

Shawn: Ms. Altman is moving into a new house with her daughter. The house happens to be fancier than most, since in the master bedroom, an adjoining panic room is included: a safety room that is virtually impenetrable, with a separate phone line, food supplies, security monitors for the surveillance cameras scattered about the house, you name it. When Meg and her daughter spend their first night in their huge house, they end up hiding in the panic room all night when a group of thieves break in, trying to get some valuables in the panic room safe (left by the previous tenant).

JB: Most refreshing is the intelligent writing around all three main characters. They don't spend a lot of time screaming and fumbling around like most films these days.

Shawn: Fincher, wielding his magic wand, creates amazing tension throughout the movie with cool continuous camera pans and dollies, and long drawn-out cuts. All the acting is top notch, giving depth to the simple script, and Jodie Foster really kicks butt with extreme girl power. The bad guys are a little bumbling at times, but it adds a welcome touch of comedy. Not exactly on the same level of Fincher's previous films, this one is a movie, strictly for entertainment, but I was entertained, and very much so. Almost a 3½ star flick.

JB: Yeah, I also was a little disappointed by the film. It seemed to lack the greatness and substance of his other films (sans Alien 3), and sadly didn't overwhelm me. Fortunately it is incredibly well-done visually, and left no unnecessary scenes. Good suspense, good intrigue, and consistency make it a pleasant watch. But it left a few too many characters hanging at the end and I may have enjoyed it more if it had resolved better. Will make a great DVD.

BEST USE OF SPECIAL EFFECTS: Jared Leto's hair.

MOST CONFUSING ETHICAL DILEMMA: Forest Whitaker coming back to save the day.... AND THEN WHAT?!?!?!

MOST VITAL QUOTE LEFT OUT OF MOVIE: "Reckon I'm gonna have to kill you."

Audio Clips:

"...This is Rauuul..." (explicit potty-mouth)

"...Get out of my house!..." (explicit potty-mouth)

Rent the DVD