Review : Shutter Island

Movie: Shutter Island
Genre: Thriller
Review Category: Movie Showing In Theaters

I went into this film with no real expectations, the Scorsese / DiCaprio "Dream Team" duo have disappointed me in the past both collectively and individually. Movies like The Aviator and Gangs of New York while visually ok movies, for me just failed to impress. The only good film I can attribute to this "Dream Team" is The Departed, which I can't give too much credit for because its a remake of the Hong Kong film Internal Affairs, which I really enjoyed. While I think Leo is a very good actor with real talent, I'm not a person who believes he has the skill or should I say power to carry a film alone; again Gangs of New York. That is to say I would never go see a film based solely on the fact that it stared DiCaprio.
Now with all my usual complaints and nay saying out of the way, I'd like to say that Shutter Island is a decent movie. I really would like to say that, but I can't, it just wouldn't be a fair assessment of the film. The fact is Shutter Island is a very good film. I haven't left a movie theater as satisfied with a film since The Dark Knight (which in my opinion is the best super hero movie ever done; the yard stick for which all other films of this Action Sub-genre must be measured). Shutter Island embodies the perfect thriller. Nothing in this film is over the top or done just to produce what's suppose to be a "Suspenseful" moment in the film.
The ominous concert style music, which sounds predominately composed of a slow playing Cello or Bass, isn't too racy but more fits the mood and helps set the tone of the film. Visually the film is stunning, I was very impressed. The majority of the movie takes place on the island during a hurricane, which usually means the color pallet is limited to hues of gray. However Scorsese is able to produce a vivid and rich viewing experience highlighted by the storm. The flash back and dream sequences are particularly colorful, and a pleasure to watch. In fact the first dream scene is probably the best one I've ever seen in a film, the use of foreshadowing and symbolism is great, coupled with the richness and depths of color achieved made this a very special scene. Not having read the novel, I will still go on a limb and say Laeta Kalogridis (Screen Writer) did a very good job adapting Dennis Lehane's (Author) work to the big screen. The dialogue, particularly the initial few conversations between DiCaprio and Kingsly's characters is very well done and really engaging. The acting was good, even in scenes with emotional over tones there was no moment of unbelievable over-acting sometimes found; which detracts from the viewing experience. All parts in my opinion where well acted, including Michelle Williams (Brokeback Mountain, Dawson's Creek) who really gave her character life and believability and worked well opposite an actor of DiCaprio's caliber. The plot of the film and ultimately the conclusion aren't really anything that hasn't been done before. A story centering around an Insane Asylum, doesn't scream new idea in the thriller genre. But when the story is well written, the acting is done just right, and visually a film is eye pleasing, creativity in plot can afford to take a back seat. In true thriller fashion, the audience is left speculating literally up until the last sentence of the film. I found that the plot could have easily gone in two or three different directions from the start of the film, and even went a step further to give a twist after the climax. My only knock to the film is DiCaprio's "Amazing Spider-man" impersonation, other than that I really can't complain. So surprisingly I have to rate this movie a Must See In Theaters.