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The Watcher
Availability:
In Stock
Price:
$14.99
$3.45*
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| Part No: | B00003CXND |
| Manufacturer: | Universal Studios |
| MFG Part: | 025192113727 |
| Customer Rating: | 3.0 / 5.0 |
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An FBI agent who wants out is drawn back in by his nemesis, a serial killer who sends the agent a photograph of his intended victim before each murder
James Spader stars as Joel Campbell, a former detective traumatized by the death of his lover at the hands of a serial killer he'd been hunting--a psychopath who has taken their combative relationship a little too personally, and has now tracked the retired Campbell down in Chicago. The killer, who methodically studies his victims before killing them, starts sending Campbell photographs of prospective victims and gives him a day to find them before they're killed. Campbell rises to the challenge, returns to his role as detective, and launches a comprehensive manhunt for the killer and the women in the photographs.
The Watcher is surprisingly watchable--though it does suffer from an excessive use of arty cinematography. But while the psychological interpretation of the killer's behavior is a little too schematic to be convincing, the portrayal of Campbell is quite strong, particularly due to Spader's performance. A much-underrated actor, Spader is lean and efficient in his portrayal, rarely given to flashy histrionics, but compelling and emotionally complex. Unfortunately, the killer is played by Keanu Reeves; and though Reeves isn't as terrible an actor as some critics may say, he's out of his depth here. Still, Spader carries most of the movie, and the sequences in which the police are trying to track down the victims are nicely suspenseful--in fact, the movie is overall more interested in suspense than gore, making it a pleasant change from most contemporary thrillers. Also starring Marisa Tomei as Campbell's psychiatrist and budding romantic interest.
--Bret Fetzer
| The Watcher is worth Watching | 2010-03-30 | 3 / 5 |
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| James Spader plays a FBI agent on medical leave who has recently moved to Chicago after his mistress is killed in California by a psychopathic serial killer portrayed by Keanu Reeves; unfortunately for Campbell, the psychopath has developed some type of bizarre attachment and imaged relationship with him and follows him to Chicago in order continue his torment and killing spree; Keanu's character terrorizes Spader with photos of women that he has targeted and plans on killing while Spader and the other FBI agents try to find the women before Reeves kills them off; the action and chase scenes are suspenseful and the storyline is interesting and well acted by both Spader and Reeves; Keanu does have some creepy funny lines and moments in this film, he is not terrible in this film and the movie is worth seeing. |
| Would not watch it again | 2010-01-12 | 3 / 5 |
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Some parts of the film were great, other parts not so great, and the acting was bland for the most part. Keanu Reeves is the most bland and boring of all. James Spader does a decent job, with what he has to work with. The dialogue and delivery is often stiff and unnatural.
I had a good laugh in the beginning watching Keanu Reeves' character doing some lame dance along to a dance version of Rob Zombie's Dragula. That was hysterical. They brought Zombie back later with "How to Make a Monster" and I guess that was an attempt to help emphasize some horrific, monster-like quality of Reeves' character which didn't really exist. His portrayal of a serial killer was pretty comical. I didn't buy it. Maybe it would have helped if there had been more character development or back story.
As for the production, it's pretty good. The camera work is good, action is good, excellent car chase scene, and some great effects. And the soundrack was good. The music and scoring worked well with the film and was practically invisible throughout, which is the way it should be.
In all The Watcher wasn't a super bad film, just could have been improved upon. I don't know if I'll watch it again. Maybe I will give it a second chance. |
| Good sound track-poor suspense and acting | 2010-01-07 | 2 / 5 |
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| Someone reccomended this to me cause I like scary suspense movies. A good suspense movie takes an art of proper speeding and slowing down the action in conjunction with the visual effects and things like that. Pretty much not done real well her. Acting not too good either. Does have a pretty good 5.1 track for those with home theatre. |
| pretty good | 2009-06-01 | 4 / 5 |
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| I didn't think keanu reeves could pull off this role but he did great this is a good movie |
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| This is an excellent thriller movie. Enjoyed it very much. Great performances by Keanu Reeves and James Spader and Marisa Tomei |
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