From the late 1960’s and well into the 70's The Zodiac Killer terrorized and taunted the police and citizens in Northern California. His body count may have ranged from as low as seven to as high as thirty-eight, but the truth of his crimes may never be fully known. This is the story of how one man’s obsession to kill became another man’s obsession to stop him. This is the story of Zodiac.

Zodiac is an incredible film that looks at the disturbing legacy of the Zodiac Killer and his reign of terror in Northern California. The film, directed by David Fincher, does an amazing job of showing how real life crimes can become so fantastic and jumbled at the same time. From start to finish this is an engrossing film that by the time the credits roll will have you still wondering while the case is still open and under investigation.

Real events, real people and realistic storytelling are what make this film so grand to watch. I thoroughly enjoyed this film from beginning to end and sat dumbfounded as the work of Robert Graysmith, a regular Joe, goes so long ignored by others until it’s too late.

Graysmith is a cartoonist for a San Francisco newspaper and due to a love of puzzles becomes wrapped up in the pursuit of the Zodiac Killer. Graysmith, played to perfection, by Jake Gyllenhaal, is just a simple type of guy with nothing too big about him or his personality, but he becomes so obsessed with the case of the Zodiac that it nearly costs him everything else in his life. Watching him pour through volume after volume of files and articles about the killer is fascinating and tiresome at the same time. It completely consumes the man and Gyllenhaal’s performance shows that to a T.

The opposite of Gyllenhaal’s character is Inspector David Toschi, played by Mark Ruffalo. Toschi is the gruff gumshoe you expect in a cop movie, not a hard ass but a determined line-walker kind of character. As Graysmith works the situation in his own style and terms, Toschi has to work through the red tape and jurisdiction prudence that holds up the legal aspects of the case.

The Zodiac Killer himself is chilling and a well thought-out individual. From his execution style murders to the letters and ciphers he sends to the police and newspapers, you can feel that he was not only intelligent, but incredibly smug as well. And it is very easy to see how he was able to manipulate others into spreading his own sinister reputation.

Most people may not like the latter half of this film as it is a much slower pace than the first half which opens up with bang and doesn’t stop as it progresses Zodiac’s victim total, but it was in the second half of this film that I truly came to appreciate it and it’s amazing attention to detail.

If you’re a fan of the real life serial killer films, then this one is a must own. It has a great core cast and veteran actors like Brian Cox, Anthony Edwards and Robert Downey Jr. round out a truly magnificent ensemble cast. Add to that the excellent direction of Fincher and the raw power of the subject matter and you truly get a great film.

9 of 10.