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Zodiac (R, 2007)

common sense media says

Notorious case inspires dark, sinuous thriller.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this three-hour movie about the investigation into a string of real-life serial murders during the early 1970s is too violent and disturbing for most teens (and probably even some adults). While some violence takes place off screen, what does appear is brutal and bloody: The Zodiac shoots a couple in their car, stabs another couple in the back (the victims' pained, horrified faces are shown both times), and shoots a cabbie. Police officers and reporters discuss the deaths in some detail. Characters drink heavily and smoke frequently (one also uses hard drugs). References are made to the killer's "latent homosexuality" and a suspect's pedophilia. Language includes repeated uses of "f--k."

Positive messages: Serial killer is cruel and plainly deranged; cops and reporters argue amongst themselves and become obsessed with the case to the point of ruining their home lives. Paul gives his editor the finger.
Violence: Extremely bloody crime scenes; violence includes shooting, stabbing (especially brutal), fighting; much discussion of means of murder, ammunition, and gun types; letters from killer describe plans to kill children on school buses (a boy hears this on TV and looks worried); mention of gas chamber; woman in prison appears with dark bruises on her arm; scary scene in basement when Robert thinks he's met the killer by accident (jump shot, dark shadows, tense music); discussion of a suspect's deviant history ("touching kids").
Sex: Suggestion of sexual desire as first victims "park" (they're shot before they even kiss); Paul reports that the killer is a "latent homosexual."
Language: Repeated profanity, especially "f--k," as well as "s--t," "hell," "goddamn it," and other colorful language ("Sweet mother of Christ," "Jesus on crutches," "Tell him to screw," "crap," "getting your rocks off with a girl") and name-calling ("shorty" and "retard").
Consumerism: Some references by name (Folgers, the movie Bullitt), plus background imagery (Coca-Cola and Campbell's soup in vending machines, Slinky on TV); Dirty Harry on movie screen.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Drinking to drunkenness in bars (Paul and Robert favor blue drinks called "Aqua Velvas"); more drinking at Belli's Christmas party (he offers a "toddy"); frequent cigarette smoking; Paul looks high/wasted at work -- he snorts cocaine and keeps a full bar and other drugs in his home.
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More on Zodiac

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the media's relationship with serial killers. How do the killers use the media to gain attention? How do the media use the killers to gain ratings? How do viewers and readers respond to such coverage? Think about how movies portray killers and their pursuers: Unlike The Silence of the Lambs, this movie focuses on the investigation, with very little information about the killer. How does that affect the film's narrative and displays of violence? Is violence more effective when it's shown, or when it's implied? Why?

What's the story?

What's the story?
An intelligent, sinuous mystery, ZODIAC is less interested in sensational violence than in the ways that the media affects such violence. Based on the notorious, still-unsolved early-1970s Zodiac murders in the San Francisco area, the movie focuses first on efforts to figure out the murderer's motives and then on the ways that the Zodiac "imagined" himself into public consciousness by writing letters to the San Francisco Chronicle and leaving clues to taunt the police. The film begins with a murder -- the first one for which the killer took public credit. After the shooting, Zodiac calls the police and sends a letter to the Chronicle, demonstrating -- in his mind, anyway -- that he's smarter than all of them. As he uses the media to "make himself up," the movie considers the effects of the case on those who pursue him, including Inspector David Toschi (Mark Ruffalo) and his partner, Inspector William Armstrong (Anthony Edwards); as well as earnest cartoonist Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal) and brilliantly self-destructive crime reporter Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.). They run into problems at every turn, from law enforcement officials in different jurisdictions who don't want to work together to handwriting experts, fingerprinters, and even celebrity lawyer Melvin Belli (Brian Cox). With egos getting in the way, only rudimentary technologies to work with, and legal impediments, no one cracks the case, and everyone loses themselves to it.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
David Fincher's excellent movie includes several violent murder scenes (a stabbing is especially grisly), but it's more interested in the consequences of the brutality: crime scenes, investigative procedures, fear in the community. In a mess of intersecting obsessions and deceptions, Zodiac finds remarkable coherence, tracing the similar needs, means, and fictions that structure truth.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Warner Bros.
Director: David Fincher
Cast: Chloe Sevigny, Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo
Genre: Thriller
Run time: 165 minutes
Theatrical release: March 1, 2007
DVD release: July 24, 2007
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: some strong killings, language, drug material and brief sexual images.
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This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
 
 

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What parents & educators say

17

Most useful reviews by all members

kelsodoggie
adult
 
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quest13
adult
 
I hope my review syas 15 and up
I would make it R For Some strong killing/violence, graphic language, pervasive drug material and a couple sexual images.
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Gerard1
adult
 
Good for 15 and older ONLY.
15 and up!
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trag324
adult
 
ZODIAC
i think zodiac is a very good movie it is not at all scary what so ever. there is a few scenes where u see alot of blood like on a car door people being stabbed and the zodiac killer killing someone in the head. it is more of a mystery/learning movie about the history of the zodiac killer and what the people went through with it in that time. i recomend it for people that are from the ages of 14+
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koolmoviebuzzy
adult
 
It was iffy.
This movie is very viotent for younger teens. It also says a curse word about every minute of the movie. I would not let you kid see it unless you have a talk with your kid before he or she see's Zodiac. There was also a part with Pornoagraphy. It is a good movie for adults not kids.
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Curbspaget
adult
 
Great!
This was a very informative movie on the killer, and an amazing movie. A little long, but very good overall.
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Georgeman
adult
 
Well I think a 15 year-od could see it with me so I can skip scens.
I loved it and so did my 15 year old daughter but no one younger.
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Way2Dramatic
adult
 
A good thriller!
This movie is long, and most of it is talking. It is not a slasher movie: it's a smart psychological thriller. It wasn't as violent as it's made out to seem; there's only three or four scenes that are violent and they are very graphic. Also a lot of tension. But they are only for about a total of 10 minutes of the movie. The rest of the violence is discussed rather than shown. They did use the f-word about 10+ times, but not as much as other movies I've seen. The one guy (played by Robert Downey, Jr. Coincidence?) is an alcoholic and druggie. But this movie is good and if your kids can understand what's going on and can handle violence, they should be fine, unless they scare eaisly, because this was based on true events.
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ellie
adult
 
boring
this was the most boring 'horror' movie i've ever seen. kids, fear not, you'll fall asleep anyway.
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hse987
adult
 
Know your kid....
This movie was good....but you should know your kid before they see it. I think it's ok for 15+. It has violence, of course, but if your kid has seen other scary movies it's nothing different. It's more informative than anything.
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emoboizryummy
teen, 18 years old
 
no ur kids... i loved it
okay so I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS MOVIE! Not for horror or suspence, but because it is well made. I am a huge horror fan, violence and language could offend some people, I would say if ur kid is under fifteen watch the movie first/ know your kid really well.
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Xpb
kid, 11 years old
10
 
Loved ittt.
The zodiac killer case was so intresting, nice to see a movie about it!
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MovieLover4Lyfe
adult
17
 
I make it a point to never watch scary movies based on real life events. They just make me positively SCARED. The only one I've ever viewed was the Texas Chainsaw Massacre and I had nightmares for weeks. That being said, I think that this movie would be good for the oldest teens and adults. I've heard it's very well made too.
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booklovermovie
teen, 14 years old
 
I'm 10 and I loved it.
Zodiac is a spectacular film that deserves an Oscar nomination.It does have voilence in it for example the Zodiac killer sneaks in back of a taxi driver and shots him in the head when the driver pulls over.You don't see very much blood.Another example is that a couple is stabbed to death.Language is another issue.Words like the f word the s word and the c word are used.Achol and drugs are used.Robert Downey Jr (who plays Paul Avery)always hangs out in a bar and drinks.He also smokes more than a normal smoker does.Later on he has an oxygen tank connected to his mouth*mercialism is used in the movie (from what I remember) They commercialis diffrent 1960's 1970's items.I think it is a great movie.It is pretty complicated for kids but i'm smart and i got the point.If you have not seen it rent it.
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