I know that I am overly critical of Leonardo DiCaprio - that is kind of one of my "things." I feel as though he is over-rated as an actor and doesn't deserve a great deal of the praise that he gets. I believe that most of the films he is in are good in spite of him, rather than because of him. I believe that every DiCaprio film would be a little bit better if they were Matt Damon movies. That being said, I don't think that Shutter Island's failure to impress me was his fault.
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Ok, right out of the gate I am going to admit that this was a massive financial success. That was always going to be the case when Scorsese teams up with DiCaprio. Add to the fact that Mark Ruffalo (one of my favorite actors) and Ben Kingsley (I believe one of the most talented actors of all time) are also in the movie and it kind of had to succeed, right?
DiCaprio plays Edward "Teddy" Daniels, a U.S. Marshal that is investigating the disappearance of a patient who was incarcerated at a mental hospital for drowning her 3 children. He is teamed up on this investigation with a partner he has never worked with before who is played by Mark Ruffalo.
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The movie starts out interesting enough because what isn't interesting about visiting a super-secure mental hospital that houses the criminally insane on an island? That is creepy enough on its own but the way the scenes are shot add to the dread as does the choice of music and sound.
and of course there is always this lady.
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I applaud the fact that this film tried to steer away from the annoying predictable nature of Hollywood movies and instead opted for a massive "twist" that would leave the audience shocked. This is what I enjoy about Korean movies and would like to see the tactic employed more frequently in US films. However, the execution of this twist was done very poorly.
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Myself and many other people I know were able to predict what was really going on in the film long before the audience is meant to. I don't remember exactly what it was that tipped us all off but I knew well before it was revealed what was really going on and then when the moment came that was supposed to be shocking I was like "you don't say???" It wasn't surprising and the tells were not subtle enough (I am intentionally being vague here so as to not spoil the film for people that have not seent it.)
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I've said it before and I'll say it again. Leo is not a convincing father character. He is just too boyish to be playing the role of someone who is a doting dad to 3 kids. He also is not terribly convincing as an authority figure such as a police detective or US Marshall - he simply isn't intimidating. It's like a little kid dressing up for Halloween for the most part. While I will admit that the has some very good roles under his belt, the ones where I am supposed to believe that he is an adult with kids are the ones where my reaction is "No, you're NOT!"
While I wont totally bag on this film I simply didn't think it was great. I found myself quite bored while watching it and the fact that the big twist was telegraphed so early on in the film totally ruined it for me. If you haven't seen this one I would say you can pretty safely skip it and all will be well in the world.
I thought Leo was okay in Catch Me if you Can and the Wolf of Wall Street, but realistically he probably peaked during Growing Pains. I haven't seen this movie, but I can see what you are talking about with the cinematography just from the pictures you posted. Thanks for sharing this great review. I also agree with your opinion of Sir Ben.
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finally! someone who knows that he was on Growing Pains. :)
I'm telling you, stick with me, you won't be sorry. Except for my questionable taste in music 😀
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I had to give major props to Shutter Island. Not because of the twist, but because I had already read the book, knew what the twist was, and they still managed to surprise me. This is one case where the film actually improves if you've read the novel, because the ending totally screws with your expectations.
I don't want to say more, out of respect for people who've not read the novel or seen the movie, but let's just say the plot twist at the end of the film and the plot twist at the end of the book are not the same thing, and I actually like the way they ended the film better than way Dennis Lehane ended the original story.
Shutter Island, the film, was made completely on the assumption that you would figure out the major plot twist, either because you're cinematically savvy like that, or because you had read the novel. ESPECIALLY if you had read the novel. Because if you have, then DiCaprio's final interaction with the Shutter Island staff (especially Ruffalo) is impossible to see coming.
My wife and I loved the movie because it made this decision, and if you have not read the book, I highly recommend that you do so. You'll understand the twist the movie actually incorporated wasn't the 'big reveal' moment, but one little, seemingly-inconsequential detail at the end that DiCaprio sells like a champion and that I could not see anyone else but him pulling off. :)
awesome follow-up. Perhaps I will read the book based on what you have written here.
I don't intend for my opines to be the "end-all" for anyone reading them, it is just the way I feel about stuff. For example I absolutely love everything that Bruce Campbell is involved in although a vast majority of the general public would probably disagree with me :)
" It's like a little kid dressing up for Halloween for the most part " ahahahahahahah very funny!! You make me laught a lot...But I like this story anyway, maybe it is the child's appearence of Leo that does not make him believable and I guess also his voice...Maybe would be better with a Phil Anselmo voice ;)
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i believe most things are better with a Phil Anselmo voice :)
Bloody definitely!!!! ;)
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Finally have seen one you are reviewing and I would give it less than "meh". I really can't remember much from it except disappointment. I struggle with Leonardo's movies as he is limited in what roles he can do. He is no action hero or villain so what is left really to have a believable role.
The film did not seem completely bad, I think it is above average, but it is deficient mainly in the aspects you mention, the twist was very predictable, at least for me too, and the way it was revealed also did not convince me.
I just mentioned this film in one of my latest posts! (Review of "Delirium" which DiCaprio produced.) I liked it better than you did.
I am shocked...
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The only highlight was watching one of my favs (3 guesses who) 0perform. Film was boring otherwise
I haven't seen this movie for years but I remember feeling the same about it.
disappointing movie.
I liked it and I like Di Caprio, I think he's a good actor :)
that's a shame...I enjoyed this film!!!
Heh. It does drag on a bit.
A film that I can predict correctly what will happen towards the end of the film is not going to be interesting and thrilling for me to watch . i think that has do with the directing of the film and that is why most American film is highly predictable @gooddream
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