Rental Review: Zodiac

By Ryn Gargulinski
This was one of the slowest-moving, boring flicks until I popped it out of the DVD player and attempted to watch the other two movies I had on hand. Then Zodiac became a masterpiece.

For the record, the other two DVDs were Jane Doe and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. The first features Calista Flockhart as a prostitute with a black eye that magically disappears the next morning, not unlike the fatal wounds that are healed in the next frame in all Wyle E. Coyote cartoons. The second was a rambling, drug-induced, self-important narration of Hunter Thompson, which is to be expected since it was based on his rambling, drug-induced self-important narration in the book that I did not like either.

So Zodiac ruled. At least comparatively. Yes, it was slow. Yes, we got the idea that everyone was scared, although that was driven home some 5,678 times with some 9,632 scenarios. No, we didn’t get that “ooh, ahh” feeling of a monster out there, although we should have based on the killer’s story. The movie just didn’t do it justice. Besides, it only depicted four murders and two attempted, rather than a dent into the 37 this guy said he committed.

Highlight: Being reminded Zodiac was never caught and wondering if he’s watching the movie himself and then wondering if he’ll read this review in which case I’d have to say he’s such a clever and awe-inspiring presence wherever he is.
Lowlight: The detective assigned to crack the case who is a real jerk.
Rating (1-10): 1