I know what you might be thinking, not another PG-13 horror/suspense thriller starring mostly adolescents. Surely we've had enough of the group of teens that get lost in the woods only to meet their demise by a ruthless killer or the car breaking down in the middle of nowhere only to find what appears to be an abandoned house...just a couple of examples of the same plots with no new creativity or spin.
Now we moviewatchers have something to clap our hands for, a movie that gets it right...Disturbia...
The movie stars Shia LaBeouf as Kale, a seemingly happy young man whose life is turned upside down after a fatal car crash leaves himself hurt, but his father dead, causing a complete 180 to troubled and on edge...the movie fast forwards to one year later where Kale, still coping from the incident, lashes out on a teacher with a right cross to the face...
Up to this point, you might be thinking, gee this isn't anything new...but here is where the film really takes off
The plot thickens when Kale, sentenced to three months house arrest for the summer, not able to go 100 feet from house, spends his time as any high schooler would...enjoying XBOX live, ITunes, internet, useless television (easy right?). That is until his hard-working mother, played by Carrie Anne-Moss, limits his house vacation leaving Kale with absolutely nothing to do, except watch the unique lives of his neighbors...one of which he, along with his entourage which includes his best friend and sexy new neighbor, suspect to be a serial killer...is he just reading too much into the end of his binoculars, or is there really something disturbing going on next door?
A modern, junior version of Hitchcock's famous "Rear Window," this is an obviously well-written, fluid script with a range of clever humor, sexuality, and intense features coupled with a standout performance by Shia and a creative vision from the very important director...
The film does everything is has to...it keeps you entertained as the plot builds for the climax, it involves crafty camera angles blending in the technology, and has a stellar supporting cast that allows the film to move...
The film even takes on an extra depth to its main characters while not holding back with some graphic images and taut, on the edge of your seat scenes...
But maybe most importantly, this film doesn't conform in any way. It keeps the coincidences to a bare minimum, and refuses to drag you into long, drawn out scenes of unbearable fiction and unbelievability...SOLID MOVIE