"Disturbia"

Shia LaBeouf
David Morse
Sarah Roemer
Viola Davis
Carrie-Anne Moss
Aaron Yoo
Jose Pablo Cantillo
Matt Craven
Amanda Walsh






PG13           104min           2007

“Disturbia” is about Kale Brecht (LaBeouf), living under three months’ house arrest, passes his days spying on the neighbors. It’s all fun and games until things take a horrifying turn for the worse. Kale is convinced his neighbor next door is a serial killer, (Morse), but he can’t prove anything, can’t convince anyone and can’t leave his house without triggering an alarm. Enlisting the help of his friends, Kale is determined to expose the truth but have they all taken on more than they bargained for with a cold-blooded murderer on the loose? – from the back cover

Inspired somewhat by Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rear Window” this film blends genres perfectly. The film is fast paced and exciting. Shia LaBeouf anchor is a good cast of Hollywood young talent, veteran actors, and recognizable character actors. If you are a film movie watcher then you will enjoy this film.

“Disturbia” is the perfect blend of many genres. It starts out as a drama, then turns into a romantic comedy, all the while being a thriller. The genres never overwhelm each other but complement each other moving from one to the other seamlessly.

The pace of the film gets progressive faster and you become engrossed in the film. By the time the ending comes 104 minutes have pass and you won’t know where the time went. Kale is an instantly likable character and because of that you’re instantly drawn into his life, for the most part you’re seeing the world through his eyes.

Shia LaBeouf, portrays Kale, a juvenile delinquent facing house arrest, with the range that is believable and intense, showing why he’s fast becoming a bankable Hollywood star. David Morse, a great veteran actor makes the antagonist, Robert Turner, menacing yet charming. If you were to see him on the street you would never expect him to be a serial killer.

Sarah Roemer last seen in “The Grudge 2”, play his love interest, the girl next door that excites Kale’s voyeur fantasy. Aaron Yoo plays the best friend with the wicked sense of humor. Carrie-Anne Moss is Kale’s mother trying to figure out a way to reconnect with her son and yet give him the space to grieve after the lost of husband and father. Jose Pablo Cantillo is a police officer and cousin of Kale’s Spanish teacher. Viola Davis (‘Traveller’) is the detective assigned to Kale’s house arrest case.

“Disturbia” has an average amount of bonus features. There is an auto commentary with director DJ Caruso, and actors Shia LaBeouf and Sarah Roemer. A few deleted scenes, outtakes, a photo gallery and a make of featurette. It has a “Serial Pursuit Trivia Pop-Up/Quiz” track and a music video of “Don’t Make Me Wait” by The World Fair. It contains movie previews for “Stardust”, “Blades of Glory”, “Next”, “Beneath”, “Super Sweet 16” and “She’s the Man”.

I give it 5/5 Gs.