Akito HirataReview - The Horsemen
May 24th 2009 02:30
In the book of Revelations, it is said that Jesus takes the first four of seven seals off a scroll. As each of the seals are removed, a horse appears, the last with Death as the rider. These horsemen (War, Famine, Pestilence and Death) are known as The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. An interesting premise for a horror/thriller but unfortunately the concept falls flat due to an undeveloped script penned by Doom writer, Dave Callaham.
A break finally comes in the investigation when Kristen (Ziyi Zhang), the adopted daughter of one of the victims confesses to an involvement in the murders. Whilst she does not give any real information which can assist their case, she instead offers cryptically and sexually charged messages to that of Aiden, who she connects with immediately. The casting of Ziyi Zhang (Memoirs of a Geisha, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon) does not work at all and the film loses whatever impetus it has managed to gain in the prior scenes.
The overall movie had a CSI feel to it - going from murder scene to the autopsy room leaving little time for any character development other than small glimpses into Aiden and his family.
Also the connection between that of Kristen and the other so named horsemen involved is not explored effectively and frustratingly so, you anticipate the film's direction even before the Detective does.
Swedish Music Director Jonas Akerlund (first movie feature Spun - 2002) for the most part plays it safe. The dark world in which the movie inhabits is also not nearly dark enough to make the exploration into the subculture of suspension and sadomasochism even remotely interesting.
Voyage Review: 2.5/5
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I like Dennis Quaid but these generic murder mysteries are driving me nuts....such a great genre when done well, so dull when redigging in old ground.
Comment by Michelle Sweeney
Competition Queen