DISTURBIA

(7.5/10)

Better than anyone expected and after just seeing the news that the movie is number 1 with over $23 million this weekend, I can say it's nice to know people listened to critics for once. This movie is not bad at all- Shia Lebouf has garnered a fan in me and I'm soon many other people as this movie sort of starts his "Ok I'm real famous now"-trilogy that also includes TRANSFORMERS and the next INDIANA JONES.

The title suits this movie perfect and in the hands of other filmmakers this could of came off having a 'two movies in one feel' since the first half is very light and simple and cute, yes cute. (Except for the shattering opening scene, very reminiscent of The Descent) Kale is a seventeen yr. old who lost his father a year ago in a tragic accident. Check your list now for cliche number one- the dead parent thing has to go! It always seems to be the easy way out on getting the audience to care just a tad more about our hero/heroine.

After Kales spanish teacher says an off color remark about his dead father, Kale lashes out and knocks the teacher out leading him to a 3-month summer house arrest. This aspect of the plot is clever. His boredom leads to neighborhood surveillance and soon Kale and his two friends suspect that their neighbor is a serial killer. The two supporting friends (Sarah Roemer and Aaron Yoo) aren't the worst actors and they do their job to serve the plot but they just come off as one-dimensional through most of the film since Shia's performance is pitch-perfect.

This movie is unusual, there are a couple different genres tangled into one but it works, cliches and all. I can honestly say its one of the better teen thrillers in recent years, substituting blood and gore for mood and substance. Also, the music was very intense and helped enhance the exciting scenes! Sadly, the movie doesn't have much rewatchability- I can see myself coming across it while its on TV and giving it a watch but it lacks scenes that make you feel at home? If that makes any sense.

Also the PG-13 rating will let sensitive movie goers enjoy a nice thriller since there is no excessive gore to sway them away(Think Red Eye). So you won't get disturbed by any means guys but you'll enjoy yourself- so if there is nothing else out there that excites you then see it- otherwise it will be a perfect video movie. It almost makes you wish you had a creepy neighbor you could have fun investigating.