Disturbia Review
by tom elce (tombetom AT aol DOT com)September 9th, 2007
Disturbia (2007) - *** [out of ****]
Director: D.J. Caruso
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, David Morse, Sarah Roemer, Aaron Yoo, Carrie- Anne Moss, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Viola Davis, Matt Craven Reviewed by Tom Elce
(copyright Tom Elce)
BBFC Rating(UK): 15
MPAA Rating(US): PG-13
A modern-day homage to Alfred Hitchcock's 1954 classic "Rear Window" and a star vehicle for the immensely talented Shia LaBeouf, "Disturbia" isn't the most intellectually sound thriller, but as goreless teen entertainment, it stands as one of the best of its ilk in recent years. The movie isn't particularly original, and borrows material from sources other than the aforementioned "Rear Window", but succeeds in keeping its audience interested in whatever's happening on- screen and comes equipped with a satisfying but not entirely coherent climaxe, which perfectly compliments the more withdrawn style of what has come before it.
"Disturbia" starts with a bang. A relaxing day of fishing with his father ends horrifically for 17-year-old Kale (Shia LaBeouf) when a freak car accident claims his dad's life before his very eyes. In the present day, Kale has grown disinterested in school and finds himself frequently getting into trouble. When his spanish teacher makes a comment about Kale's deceased dad, Kale attacks him and soon finds himself under house arrest. As an unwilling recluse, Kale begins to grow suspicious of his neighbour Mr. Turner (David Morse), who, Kale notices, shares many of the traits of an active serial killer in the suburban community. Aided by best friend Ronnie (Aaron Yoo) and new- girl-in-town Ashley (Sarah Roemer), Kale sets out to investigate his mysterious neighbour and prove his fears true. When Mr. Turner begins chatting to Kale's mother Julie (Carrie-Anne Moss), though, Kale realises that he might be involved in an extremely dangerous game.
Whether as a stoned teenager in Emilio Estevez's very good drama "Bobby", as the focal teenager in Michael Bay's abysmal "Transformers" or as the paranoid teenager, now, in "Disturbia", Shia LaBeouf has the rare ability to impress whatever variation he's playing. Shia LaBeouf looks to perhaps be the most talented actor of his generation, and handily essays the role of suspicious Kale in a way that is both endearing and charismatic. As his partner in anti-crime and the compulsory love interest, Sarah Roemer is charismatic and likeable as the beautiful Ashley, even if she isn't quite at LaBeouf's level. Rounding out the investigative threesome is Aaron Yoo, funny and pleasant as Kale's best friend Ronnie.
Without ever raising his voice or camping the part up, David Morse is a supreme threat as probable serial killer Mr. Turner. Morse's performance is understated and naturalistic, and the character fits the bill and isn't immediately discernable as a potential psychopath. Carrie-Anne Moss is a talented actress, and its good to see her in a movie as good as "Disturbia", but her part as Kale's mother Julie is thankless and badly written. Moss' performance is adequate, yes, but she deserves a better role to portray. Also making a slight impression is Jose Pablo Cantillo, a police officer also a relative of the Spanish teacher on the receiving end of Kale's assault, who jumps at the chance to show up whenever Kale oversteps the invisible (temporarily) border surrounding his house.
"Disturbia" is a very good movie, and is more entertaining in any one scene than the year's summer blockbusters have been. Arriving bang in the middle of the summer season, "Disturbia" still isn't without its flaws. Directed superbly by D. J. Caruso, "Disturbia"'s screenplay, written by Carl Ellsworth and Christopher B. Landon, isn't on such solid footing. Barring the immaculately crafted Mr. Turner character, most of the films protagonists and supporting players are painted in broad, stereotypical strokes and as such don't resemble realistic human beings so much as they are types. They're all given their respective parts to play in proceedings, but scarcely resemble people. At least, however, their interaction is intriguing and worthwhile, and serves to the earlier mentioned climaxe, which is more intense and exciting than anything in June's "Captivity", which boasted a stylistically similar closing scene that couldn't hold a candle to this one.
A solid thriller that is both aesthetically beautiful and atmospherically pleasing, "Disturbia" admittedly doesn't hold up superbly to post-viewing analysis. However, miniscule criticisms such as that are entirely irrelevant and subtract nothing from the actual film's entertainment value and retaining of a place in the viewer's memory. "Disturbia" stays with you, and is guaranteed to satisfy the target audience, even if it holds back on the viscera and, thus, won't please the substancial number of gore-hounds going to movies of this ilk for blood and guts but no substance.
Rattling and intoxicating, "Disturbia" is superior teen entertainment surpassing the majority of adult-targeted horrors and thrillers of the year so far. A gathering of fine, talented actors and a visual treat all in itself, this homage to "Rear Window" makes up for its obvious lack of originality by taking old oft-tried ideas and making them endearing and entertaining viewing material. Is "Disturbia" go down in history as a teen classic? Certainly not. But compared to the frequently disposable films inhabiting the up-and-down teen genre, "Disturbia" is a triumph.
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