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Product details

Media Format ‏ : ‎ DVD
Dubbed: ‏ : ‎ French, Spanish
Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ English
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000QTCX8C

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Kaya Savas

David Fincher Does It Again With This Captivating & Character Driven Thriller

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 5, 2007

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MOVIE: David Fincher has become a name that makes people sit up and take notice. His body of work is small, but I think we can look at it as quality over quantity. Terrence Malick is another director who has a small body of work, but every time he makes a film he knocks the ball right out of the park. The same goes for David Fincher, he has not made a bad film yet in his career and yes I am counting Alien 3. With films like Se7en, The Game, Fight Club and Panic Room I think it is safe to say that the man can direct and can tell a gripping and thrilling tale. He is one of my favorite directors and in some ways is a modern day Hitchcock.

The film itself chronicles a period of time during the 1960's and the 1970's. I think what will surprise most people going into this movie is that this is not your typical serial killer movie. So, if you're expecting another Se7en then you're going into the movie with the wrong state of mind. I am incredibly happy that Fincher went with a different side to the genre and didn't repeat himself. We open the movie with the first murder that sparked the chaos. The rest of the film shows how obsession consumes the characters and the lives of everyone involved. James Vanderbilt constructed the screenplay so that there is really no main character here. The story shifts focus amongst the different characters, and that's why the film needs to be as long as it is. Even though the focus shifts around a lot we never lose focus on any of the characters, every single one is thoroughly developed. The screenplay is incredibly captivating despite throwing so much information at the audience. We are with this story until the very end and are in no way being dragged by the arm. Also just as important is the ending. How do you end a film where the outcome is publically known? I won't say, but our characters complete their journey and that's the most important part and it does serve closure. You will not be disappointed with an open ending.

Let's move to the technical aspects of the film. The number one reason I get excited about a Fincher film is the cinematography, and boy oh boy does Zodiac have perfect cinematography. David Fincher decided to use the Thompson Viper FilmStream Camera to shoot the entire film on uncompressed digital. This is the first time Fincher has shot digital, and the first time a Hollywood film has used the Viper camera to film in uncompressed digital. It makes perfect sense for Fincher to use this method since his films are almost always shot at night for the most part, and with digital you need less light to film. With that being said the picture is very soft and the atmosphere is indescribable in words. Lighting is perfect in every scene, it seems as if each light in the frame is glowing, there are no harsh shadows. The color palette is very muted and the film captures the time period perfectly especially within the art direction and costume design. Harris Savides was the Director of Photography on the film. He worked as an assistant photographer on Se7en so I'm sure he had a good sense of what Fincher was going for, and it certainly shows that he did. The look of the film has Fincher's name all over it. Some scenes will remind you of Panic Room while others will remind you of Fight Club, and as a whole the film has the feel of Se7en and The Game. The pacing is absolutely perfect and there will be some scenes that will have you curl up in anticipation and tension.

Another aspect of the film worth mentioning was the score composed by veteran composer David Shire. I was almost devastated when I found out that Howard Shore wouldn't be scoring Zodiac. Fincher's collaboration with him on Se7en, The Game and Panic Room was remarkable and Shore composed some of his most memorable scores with Fincher. However I can see why Shore could have been a misfit with this movie, and I think David Shire did an excellent job. David Fincher wanted to do a more character driven film in the vein of All The President's Men. I don't think it's a coincidence that David Shire also composed the score to All The President's Men. Zodiac isn't structured like most films and the movie has almost no score anyway. You do have to acknowledge the music supervisors' selection of period songs to create the right mood and tone. I really didn't even notice the score until the third act of the film. Even though I love my movies with strong scores I never felt there was a need for it, and that credit has to go to Fincher's magnificent capability to thrill us through the filmmaking itself. Zodiac is as detailed as it gets and it's brilliant.

ACTING: The cast is remarkable. Jake Gyllenhaal gives his best performance in my opinion. He comes across as a very thorough person who always likes to understand everything, and then the Zodiac case itself consumes him. Robert Downey Jr. is equally brilliant as Paul Avery, the reporter who becomes obsessed with the case and goes down a path of self destruction. Mark Ruffalo and Anthony Edwards play two inspectors who are partners. Edward's character quits before it grabs a hold of him while Ruffalo's character continues down the path. The performances are absolutely amazing, this is truly one of the best efforts I have seen from a cast as a whole in awhile.

BOTTOM LINE: The film is atmospheric and will envelope you from beginning to end. Your heart rate will rise during some scenes and you will be tense with anxiety and anticipation. The characters will captivate you and you will become as obsessed with the case as the characters are. David Fincher turned out a very mature, intricate and entertaining film. It's a bit of a thriller, a bit of a drama, and a bit of a study of obsession. This is a fantastic movie.

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Collin D. Freeman

Thriller or Docu-drama? Don't see it with expectations

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 18, 2007

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After reading many of the reviews posted for this film, it probably can be safely said movie-watchers will fall into 2 categories: loved it or hated it. Oddly enough, I am probably one of the few exceptions to that observation. I found the film to be excellent in many respects, but I can see why many a paying-movie-goer would feel cheated or disappointed.

If you don't already know this movie is about the infamous Zodiac serial killer of northern California from the late 1960's-early 1970's, then you need to do some homework. Even if you are only somewhat familiar with the case, I suggest you do some reading (book or web) to become more familiar with it, as I did, and that might enhance your viewing experience when watching this film.

First, this is not a serial-killer thriller. If you are or were somehow led to believe that it was a hacker-slasher film because of the director or a preview clip, then you are going to be disappointed. Think "All the President's Men", not "Saw", "Seven", or "Friday the 13th". Only a few of the incidents attributed to the killer are shown on camera, and then, most of the violence is left to the imagination of the audience. This film is more of a documentary, or docu-drama, than a neatly written story that has a beginning and ending. As in real life, there is no ending to this film. The case is still unsolved and occasionally gets changed to inactive status, only to be reopened at some point. Many movie-goers may find that aspect of unfulfillment frustrating, but it's real life. So deal.

Second, the film is very much from the book by Robert Graysmith, portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal. It leads you down a path that unfortunately almost forces the audience to believe that a prime suspect was in fact the Zodiac killer, but because of screwed up police politics and the system they simply could not make a case stick. This man (Arthur Leigh Allen), although a very good suspect on paper based on circumstantial evidence, was never even tried for any of the murders attributed to the Zodiac and has long since died of natural causes. Again, an unfulfilled feeling by the time the movie ends. (The actor playing Allen, however, does look remarkably like the real Leigh Allen. Another gold star to David Fincher for authenticity.)

Third, although somewhat flawed, Zodiac does do a remarkable job of recreating actual people with their real names (unlike an earlier low-budget film, The Zodiac), real locations, real events pretty much as they happened. The people involved in this case over the years, and as they are portrayed on film, is the real reason to see this movie. It is an acting tour-de-force! Such authenticity, not only in the locations and events, but also in who was involved and what they went through are true character studies. To see how this case changed lives (and not for the better) through losses of reputations, jobs, marriages, and health while a small handful of people lost their physical lives is what makes the film worth seeing. Robert Downey Jr should at least get a nomination for his portrayal as San Francisco crime reporter Paul Avery. Major kudos to the rest of the cast, too, especially Mark Ruffalo as detective Dave Toschi and Brian Cox who gets to ham it up as famous celebrity defense attorney Melvin Belli (listen for the part about him discussing his role on Star Trek as the Gorgon).

Side note of trivia: actor Philip Baker Hall is the only actor to have appeared in the 2006 film "The Zodiac" and this film, "Zodiac", although he plays 2 totally different people.

Fourth, yes, it can certainly be supported that Zodiac is too long of a film, regardless of which side of the fence you stand. I did not realize it was almost 3 hours by the time the end credits started to roll, but then, I know a fair amount about this case and was intrigued the entire way of how each person involved acted or reacted to each bit of evidence and each twist and turn. I think it could have been trimmed by about 15 minutes or so for the general public, but it is what it is, and I do not consider it's length to be a major flaw, only a minor one.

One final flaw I do have to mention is by using Graysmith's book as the primary source of material, the viewers are led to believe Allen was the killer. The case is still unsolved, Allen has been removed as the prime suspect by many investigators due to contradictory physical evidence (no DNA match from the letters, no match on the fingerprint from the cab, handwriting was inconclusive, physical description does not match the man the police saw the night Paul Stine was killed, and the one known surviving victim could not say with 100% certainty it was Allen). Hence, a greater feeling of unfulfillment by letting the audience believe that everyone involved knew Leigh Allen was the killer, they just couldn't bring him to justice.

It's a fascinating case and can draw you in much like Jack-the-Ripper has done over the centuries. And like Jack the Ripper, many people have theories and prime suspects but the killer is never found. David Fincher, the cast, and the rest of the crew are to be commended for their honest and riveting portrayal of a time and place that affected more lives than just the ones the Zodiac killed. If Zodiac falls short, it is only in the expectations of its viewers. See it or not, it's up to you. But don't say I didn't warn you.

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G. Robinson

Criminally underated!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on April 4, 2020

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Epic mystery/thriller about possibly the most bizarre serial killer in American history.

The Zodiac killer first appeared in San Francisco in the late sixties and with his rather odd home made disguise, those attention seeking letters addressed directly to the editor of the San Francisco Chronicle and the strange coded pictograms he became big news very quickly. Killing at least six but claiming many more he frightened an entire city into almost lock down.

Some mild spoilers.

Although the story is essentially about the hunt for the killer and the extreme efforts that the police and the two detectives assigned to the case went to in attempting to crack the case, it also charts the substantial and in the end overwhelming effects the case ultimately had on Robert Graysmith, the newspapers cartoonist, and his wife and family. His lone attempts to solve the mystery of the killers identity became a personal compulsion and addiction that in the end almost destroyed his life. In a world well before computers, before criminal profiling, before CCTV and the Internet the clues mounted up, red herrings abounded, and the huge amount of paperwork amassed could fill an entire room. With limited resources and time to investigate the case eventually became totally bogged down to such a degree that you could not see the wood for the trees. There was so much “evidence” that deciding what was important became almost impossible. A number of suspects arose and one in particular was thought to be the prime suspect. Could it be proved?

David Fincher (Seven, Fight Club, The Social Network and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) was a perfect choice for this dark material. Casting four excellent actors doing some of their best work in the main roles to flesh out these real life characters, and filming a quite wonderful script really brought the time and the feel of late sixties early seventies San Francisco vividly to life. Finchers' eclectic but always interesting personal directing style and attention to detail firmly cement the film in a time and place with real authenticity. Tone is very consistent throughout, this is a film about a series of brutal murders after all, so for the most part it's a brooding sombre piece that attempts to reflect the reality of investigating a series of murders and stopping further ones. Finchers' films often have a dark noirish feel and Zodiac is no exception, so if you liked Seven or Fight Club then you will probably like this effort as well as it feels quite similar in execution. As you would expect, costumes, sets, set dressing and the auto mobiles are spot on and compliment the supreme efforts made by the whole crew to make this film look right. Shot in a very pleasing 2.35 -1 aspect ratio, the magnificent lighting cinematography is quite beautiful, especially in the darker night scenes and Finchers' habit of utilizing almost unnoticeable special effects to achieve what he wants to see on screen is wonderfully understated. You certainly will not even realise you are watching an effect in most cases and I would recommend you watch the second disc with a multitude of special features to enjoy.

At 162 minutes this is a long film and in my view 15 minutes could have been trimmed without any real detriment to the story. However I was never bored and the time did fly for the most part. I actually watched this film some years ago and although I was impressed with the quality of the whole production, the film experience itself left me a bit cold. The bleak and senseless killings of mostly very young people was a subject I found no pleasure in and the film suffered as a result. The same thing happened with Goodfellas some years earlier. On second viewings however for both I changed my mind. Some films need a second chance.

The full length documentary covering the attacks and the investigation with many of the real participants, and two of the victims who luckily got away, is excellent and well worth a watch. I would suggest you watch the film first so as not to spoil how the story unfolds, however it's of course up to you.

From what I have learnt about the case, Clint Eastwoods' film Dirty Harry is based at least in part on The Zodiac killings.

A cracking real life serial killer thriller.

3 people found this helpful

Chockybikky

Gets better with more viewings

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 27, 2014

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Watching Zodiac for the 3rd time and it is more fascinating and engrossing each time..it can be a little confusing at times with all the theories and suspects but keeps you enthralled as you want to see the killer as much as the cops do.
It has a very eerie atmosphere , probably due to the fact that the film is a true story based on real case files and makes you realise what a screwed up world we can live in when you think someone like this could be living in your street.
Jake Gyllenhall, Mark Ruffalo and Robert Downey are all heavy weight in this and they keep the story gripping even tho it is rather slow paced..you always feel they are onto something only to be foiled at the last minute.
You can feel the tension towards the end, wondering if they have finally cracked it , one particular scene near the end had the cinema i watched it in holding their breath and thinking OMG!.
If you like true crime drama i'm sure this will be perfect for you and if you just like well told thrillers then you can't go to far wrong with this well acted, stylish film

3 people found this helpful

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU

Disappointing police failure

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 22, 2010

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A real criminal, a real serial killer and his "adventures". What makes this story interesting is the fact that the police never succeeded and never arrested the killer, in spite of the help of the media in San Francisco. It all amounted to circumstantial evidence and no indictment, not to mention conviction, was ever pronounced, hence no suspect declared and arrested. The case can come out today because all those who were suspected to have played a role in this sinister story are dead or out of the way. That will not change anything anyway because the case is now closed since the main yet undeclared suspect is dead. The real question is to know whether the police, the various police departments concerned did their job properly, if the inspectors did theirs and if their hierarchy supported them. It's always difficult to say especially with the role of the Attorney general or public prosecutor in the area. There are so many elements that may stop an investigation in the USA, particularly elections since the main characters in security forces are elected and local officials are the bosses of the Police. A lot can be said and a lot can be done, or undone or just not done. And that seems to be the case here. The film is slightly slow though and the attempt to dramatize it does not succeed entirely.

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne, University Paris 8 Saint Denis, University Paris 12 Créteil, CEGID

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Andrew JCS

A Masterpiece of a movie from Fincher. A Must See Film!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 21, 2009

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This film is an adaptation of the Robert Graysmith book. From the very start it draws you into the San Francisco Bay area of the 60s and 70s. It carries you through the years of determination by detectives, newspapermen and even civilians who got involved trying to crack a case that to this day remains unsolved. Great attention to detail and authenticity are part of this films appeal. Actual case files were used in its making, giving it an edge on many others of the same genre. At times this movie has a documentary feel to it, but in the case of Zodiac it brings the audience in to crack the case too.

From the early scenes depicting the Zodiacs first known murders we are shown the terror and agony suffered by his victims. These images are shocking and brutal and not soon forgotten. You want to see the Zodiac get caught and in Fincher's storytelling the audience is given a chance to come up with their own theories.

Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr, Jake Gyllenhaal, Anthony Edwards, Brian Cox and John Carroll Lynch are exceptional in this film. This is absolutely a must see!!

3 people found this helpful

Lee R

Import the US release!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on November 9, 2014

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Let me start off by advising all UK/European customers to do yourselves a favour and import the US blu-ray rather than buying the UK version. It is region-free and will play on all blu-ray players.

The UK release crams both the movie and special features onto one disc, therefore the video and audio quality of the movie suffers (VC-1 encoded video at 14mbps and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio at 640kbps), whereas the 2-disc US release gives the movie a chance to shine, with its MPEG-4 AVC encoded video at 31mbps and Dolby TrueHD lossless audio (48kHz, 24-bit), and provides HD-quality extras on a separate disc.

Now, as for the movie itself... Fans of director David Fincher ("Fight Club", "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo") will know what to expect here: stylish visuals, well-crafted storylines, top-notch editing and sound design and, of course, rather dark subject matter (although viewers will find "Zodiac" much less mean-spirited and more thoughtful than some of his other work).

Based on true events, the film centres on two detectives (Mark Ruffalo and Anthony Edwards), a journalist (Robert Downey Jr.) and a cartoonist (Jake Gyllenhaal) in their obsessive hunt for an elusive serial killer in 1960's and 70's California, following the lengthy investigation which threatens to derail all of their careers and personal lives. More of a crime drama than a standard "serial killer thriller", the film is nevertheless utterly gripping and involving, and even at 2 hours 42 mins, never feels dragged out or overlong. The details of the case are fascinating (you will definitely want to check out the documentaries on disc 2 about the real-life investigation) and will have you hooked from the opening sequence to the end credits. The performances are universally excellent, and Fincher perfectly captures the mood of the era with attention to detail in the costumes, music, sets and locations -- the sterile newspaper offices and dingy police record rooms, sun-kissed lakes and parks, beige apartments and foggy night-time San Francisco.

The blu-ray video itself is gorgeous -- crisp and sharp, with amazing clarity, detail and colour. One of the best transfers I've seen yet. The audio track is slightly front-heavy, with little-to-no surround, but does a more than adequate job in a dialogue-driven movie which is more about story and characters than explosive sound effects or scary music.

All in all, "Zodiac" is another wonderful offering from David Fincher -- well paced and engrossing, with compelling performances and a chilling mystery at its core. The 2-disc US blu-ray release is excellent, and includes 2 audio commentaries and 5 documentaries detailing the making of the movie as well as the real-life investigation.

Very highly recommended.

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