Do not let anyone tell you about this movie before you go and see it. They may spoil a few things. I will be gentle in this review and make sure not to give any scoop away. This will be very basic, but just enough to give you an idea if you want to check it out at the theater or on DVD.

I never read the 2003 novel from which this film is based on, so I knew nothing about it except for what I saw in the trailer. I swear I saw the trailer for this way back in June 09 in front of every motion picture I watched. They marketed the heck out of this flick. I’m glad this movie is finally here. My goodness!

Anyhoo, Shutter Island was a very intriguingly odd film. It’s really one of those motion pictures where you’re going to think it’s brilliant, or that it was long and seen all before. This story is set around 1954 during the Cold War and U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio, Body of Lies) and U.S. Marshal Chuck Aule (Mark Rufallo, Where the Wild Things Are) are summoned to an insane asylum nestled on a remote island. They must investigate the disappearance of a murderess and everything just seems shady as heck as soon as they get there. It seemed so mysterious and offbeat, I was looking around at the audience as suspiciously as Teddy was the security, inmates and doctors.

Shutter had a very loud and piercing score that was old-time creepy. I’m starting to notice more movies with these spine-chilling irritating scores. I guess if they're trying to set the tone and feel of the movie, it certainly didn’t set anything but irritation through my veins for me.

Leonardo is brilliant as always. Every move, tear, emotion he has, he just lays it all out in that scene. I’m so impressed. One day this man will win an Oscar. He’s deserving of it in all his movies. I don’t care what the movie is; I know if Leo is in it, he’ll do outstanding. I truly see him as all his characters and not by his real name. He was Teddy in this film. I really felt for his character. I had invested interest in him.The character development was fantastic.

Director Martin Scorsese definitely had a purpose when directing this film. I can tell he knew exactly what he wanted to achieve. Shutter had a very mysterious package filled with an ominous gift. I sat wondering what in the heck was going on. Yes, there are twists, but any good thriller/mystery film usually does. Has it all been done before, YUP! And there lies the rub, or, at least for me. I may want to return this film to sender. I’m still mulling over it, so I’m not sure yet.

One thing I can say is that all the puzzle pieces fit at the end. I didn’t find too many holes. Whether or not I liked the ending or how it all unwrapped, all the bases were covered. Shutter was just weird. It was a film that I could have waited until a good DVD night to watch it, but I do recognize its quality.

My Rating ~ 3 Reels

3 - Watch during matinee hours (save some $$)

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Shutter Island

Hmmm! I don't know what to say. It's creepily chilling, but yet I feel as if it has been done before.

Movie Details

Synopsis

In this major thriller directed by Martin Scorsese, two U.S. marshals are called upon to a very desolate island off the coast of Massachusetts to investigate the unexplained disappearance of a murderess from the islands bastion-like hospital for the criminally coocooloo.

Review

My Rating ~ 3 Reels

Audience Rating (What's Yours?)