Rating: R (some strong killings, language, drug material and brief sexual images)
Length: 157 minutes

Widescreen 2.35:1 Color (Anamorphic)

ENGLISH: Dolby Digital 5.1
FRENCH: Dolby Digital 5.1

English, Spanish

It's 1969 and a serial killer going by the name Zodiac is terrorizing the San Francisco area. He is sending cryptic letters to a number of the local newspapers which catches the attention of a reporter (Downey Jr) and especially a puzzle-loving cartoonist (Gyllenhaal). Even as the investigation dies down, the cartoonist can't let it go regardless of the cost to himself and those around him. This is based on a true story of a still unsolved mystery.

This film doesn't spend all of it's time grossing you out with blood and gore. The murders, and yes some are graphic, are over with in the first 30 minutes or so; the rest of the film revolves around solving the mystery. The acting is first rate; the story and pacing will keep your attention.

There are a lot of names thrown around in this movie; paying attention is a must if you really want to keep up with all of the conversations. Many of the scenes are quite dark so you might want to watch this at night with most of the lights turned off. And, since this crime was never solved, the ending might leave you wanting more.

The only extra on this disc was the Previews so I went ahead and checked them out. Guess what, the first preview was for the Director's Cut of this film that will be loaded with extras and released sometime in 2008; let the hate flow to Paramount for this blatant double-dip.

• Previews: We'll have to wait for the 2-Disc Director's Cut next year for extras

The movie is a little long but it will be over before you look at the clock. If, like me, you love extras, rent/borrow this film and wait until 2008 when the Director's Cut/Special Edition comes out (this little trick cost the movie 1/2 a point). If you're just into movies without extras, this will make a wonderful addition to anyone's collection.

It is weird seeing a large office area full of desks with people working and not one computer in sight. :-)

David Fincher   [Alien 3, Fight Club, The Game, Panic Room, Se7en]

Richmond Arquette - Zodiac 1 & 2

[Fight Club]

Anthony Edwards - Inspector William Armstrong

[The Forgotten, Nothfork, Top Gun]

Candy Clark - Carol Fisher

[Amityville 3-D, Cat's Eye]

Brian Cox - Melvin Belli

[25th Hour, The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, Braveheart, Hitler in Colour, Manhunter, Nuremberg, The Ring, Troy, X2: X-Men United]

Robert Downey Jr - Paul Avery

[Good Night and Good Luck, Gothika, Iron Man, Kiss Kiss Bang Band, Natural Born Killers]

John Getz - Templeton Peck

[The Fly, The Fly II]

Jake Gyllenhaal - Robert Graysmith

[The Day After Tomorrow, Donnie Darko, Jarhead]

Elias Koteas - Sgt. Jack Mulanax

[Collateral Damage, Gattaca, The Thin Red Line]

John Lacy - Zodiac 4

John Carroll Lynch - Arthur Leigh Allen

[Face/Off, Fargo, Gothika, Volcano]

Mark Ruffalo - Inspector David Toschi

[Collateral, The Last Castle, Windtalkers]

Ed Setrakian - Al Hyman

Chloö Sevigny - Melanie

[American Psycho, Shattered Glass]

Bob Stephenson - Zodiac 3

John Terry - Charles Thieriot

[Full Metal Jacket, The Scarlet and the Black]