Project-Blu Zodiac, by M. Enois Duarte

Zodiac

By: M. Enois Duarte, 3.2.2009

The Movie Itself:
In one of his final letters to The San Francisco Chronicle, the Zodiac Killer wrote that he was anxious to see a good movie about him. "Who will play me?" he asked. There must have been something about Clint Eastwood chasing after the serial killer Scorpio he didn't appreciate, because I found Dirty Harry to be a pretty good movie. But since then, there have been numerous other films, including documentaries, chronicling the terror he created in the residents of Northern California in the late 1960s. The latest take on those terrifying years is David Fincher's superbly directed Zodiac, where more attention is giving to the dead-end investigation and the unproductive manhunt that ensued than on the maniac killer or his senseless murders. The film is based on the non-fiction book by true-crime author Robert Graysmith and follows his persistent curiosity of the case with incredible historical accuracy.

While working as a political cartoonist for the The San Francisco Chronicle, Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal) is fascinated by a series of letters and cryptograms sent to the newspaper by the self-appointed Zodiac Killer, requesting they be published to avoid more killings. After cracking one of the coded messages, the chain-smoking reporter Paul Avery (Robert Downey, Jr.) begins to share information with Graysmith and they work together to uncover the killer's identity. Soon, their sleuthing, full of speculation and circumstantial evidence, catch the attention of lead detectives Dave Toschi (Mark Ruffalo) and Bill Armstrong (Anthony Edwards), who try their best not to be involved with the two amateur gumshoes. As years go by and lives altered by the experience, Graysmith remains diligent at deciphering the mystery, refusing to accept defeat, and convinced of the Zodiac's identity.

From the beginning, David Fincher has displayed a cinematic flair for the macabre and twisted, a unique visual style of suspense that made even films like Alien³ and Panic Room richly entertaining. With Zodiac, he appears to have moved away from the distinct pattern which characterizes his previous work to a conventional approach of the infamous serial killer that got away. By avoiding the fast, sudden edits that have consumed many contemporary films in the same genre, he exhibits a certain maturity in his composition that feels more classical and traditional for generating an air of authenticity. He also stays clear of typical action sequences like chases and one-on-one confrontations to focus on the investigative procedure itself, creating a unique take on the film-noir elements where our fear of the dark is the essential source of suspense.

Fincher takes the police procedural to the somber confines of the human psyche, where the hopeless obsession for pursuing a serial killer is creepier and more nightmarish than the chase itself. He finds the perfect pace by which to tell this complex and haunting narrative of a tunneled persistence that can be demoralizing and self-destructive. While attention is given to possible suspects, we remain transfixed and engrossed by the maze of facts affecting the lives of the protagonists. As Armstrong eventually quits the force all together, Toschi is daunted by the mountain of evidence that goes nowhere, harboring a silent sense of ineptitude and resentment. Deeply affected by the crazed gunman's threats and taunting letters, Avery's life spirals into self-conceit and alcoholism. Graysmith's career is at a standstill and his family ruined by his deep-seated fixation.

Ultimately, Zodiac is a taut and well-constructed psychological crime drama, with one of the most intense and rewarding conclusions I've seen in a long while. By the time we reach this impasse, we are fully invested in the story, being equal participants with the characters. We learn and gather evidence along with Graysmith and Toschi, building a case to a prime suspect and feel their frustration when it all proves inconclusive. Fincher has already admitted to All the President's Men as the template for his film, and he's done an exquisite job of following its design. It's all about the maddening hunt for the truth and the dark corners that those ideals can expose.
Rating: 10/10

The Presentation:
The DVD release of Zodiac came with a not-so-wonderful video presentation that was marred by aliasing and moiré effects. When released on HD DVD, the picture quality was greatly improved, with better resolved lines and details. Framed in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio, this AVC-encoded transfer on Blu-ray appears to be identical. Taken directly from its digital source, the picture is stunning and immaculate, with no sign of a single artifact to be seen. Fine object and textural details are impeccable and unwavering. Contrast and white levels are bright and clean, providing each frame with plenty of clarity and never compromise the quality of the image. Blacks are richly generous and deep, adding wonderful depth to the picture, while delineation remains strong, with objects clearly perceptible in shadowy backgrounds and low-lit scenes. Flesh tones and facial features are clear and natural, with an intentionally somber color palette that is striking and precise. This is a terrific reference level video presentation.

Much like the video, the Dolby TrueHD track provided here appears to be identical to the Dolby Digital Plus track found on the HD DVD. But the film's sound design is front-heavy and intentionally subdued, where even silence seems to be a character in itself. As a dialogue-driven film, vocals are well-rendered and accurate. The entire front soundstage is beautifully balanced, with an imaging that spreads interior acoustics across the three channels. Dynamic range also lightly extends the soundfield into the background, to create a subtle sense of ambience. The LFE-channel is minor, but participates in those scenes that require tension and emphasis. Discrete effects are mild but add to the atmosphere and suspense, never overwhelming or bombarding the listening area. The lossless track is nothing spectacular, but its transparent subtlety is welcoming and engaging for the film's subject matter.
Rating: 9/10

The Extras:
This Blu-ray edition of Zodiac comes in a two-disc package of supplements, offering fans further entertainment after the film is over. Mostly presented in high definition, the bonus material features are a comprehensive look at the Zodiac history and investigation.

Audio Commentary
David Fincher explains his fascination with the Zodiac case and the intent of the film.
Audio Commentary
Features Robert Downey Jr. and Jake Gyllenhaal with producer Brad Fischer, writer James Vanderbilt, and L.A. Confidential author James Ellroy
Zodiac Deciphered (54 min.)
Behind-the-scenes doc on the making of the film.
The Visual Effects of Zodiac (15 min.)
A look at the CGI-effects employed in the film.
Previsualization (SD, 6 min.)
Animated sequences before the end result.
This is the Zodiac Speaking (102 min.)
Feature-length documentary on the Zodiac investigation, including interviews with those involved and surviving victims.
Prime Suspect: His Name Was Arthur Leigh Allen (42 min.)
Another doc on the only suspect that meet all the criteria, but never conclusive.
Theatrical Trailer
A preview of the film.

Rating: 9/10

Overall:
Arguably the most impressive and engaging modern crime drama to be released in some time, David Fincher's Zodiac is a classic in the truest sense of the term. The Blu-ray edition of the film features a reference quality video transfer, with a lossless soundtrack that adequately adds to the subject matter. The package includes a terrific set of supplements sure to keep fans entertained and intrigued by the mystery surrounding one of America's most infamous serial killers. This is a highly recommended Blu-ray disc.
Rating: 9/10