A Disappointing Continuation

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

E. Elias Merhige is the director of this fine movie, filmed in New Mexico and written by Zak Penn. The tale is that of F.B.I. Agent Thomas Mackelway (Aaron Eckhart), a superior investigator who soon tracks down and nabs a brutal serial killer. Unfortunately, his methods are such that the case against the suspect is thrown out, allowing the killer to escape justice. Mackelway is demoted and transferred to Albuquerque, where he is assigned to a a similar case involving yet, another serial killer and meets an old partner Fran Kulok (Carrie-Anne Moss). What Mackelway soon discovers is that all the clues of his prime suspect, Benjamin O'Ryan (Ben Kingsley) for these new grisly killings, may be the key to solving a series of other unsolved murders. The film is a dark drama centering on a collection of twists and turns involving a mysterious government agency called the Orion Project. Ben Kingsley gives an excellent performance and the cast excels in creating a superb movie worthy of being seen by all. Recommend for all Kingsley fans. ****

Directed by E. Elias Merhige, Suspect Zero follows the disgraced FBI Agent Thomas Mackelway, who was transferred to a desolate area in Albuquerque, New Mexico as punishment for botching a procedure which ultimately led to the release of one of the most notorious criminals on the FBI's list.It features Aaron Eckhart,Ben Kingsley and Carrie-Anne Moss together with Kevin Chamberlin and Harry J. Lennix.Mackelway is given an opportunity to redeem himself, however, when he is called in to investigate the strange murder of a traveling salesman. Mysteriously, the mark of a circle with a line through it is the only clue that the killer left behind. Before long, the prime suspect is identified as former agent Benjamin O'Ryan, who is seemingly obsessed with hunting down serial killers and murdering them rather than turning them in to the proper authorities. Though Mackelway believes he knows the area where O'Ryan is living, he has no idea what he looks like a problem that the rogue agent exploits with great success. Despite his brilliance, Mackelway finds himself caught in a psychological labyrinth of sorts, and is faced with an even greater quandary after learning that O'Ryan is looking for none other than Suspect Zero, a murderer of hundreds and the FBI's most wanted man.The movie is that rare case of a dull idea redeemed by sharp talent.But other than that,there is not much to like in this preposterous thriller.Probably one could say that this is a visually jarring, psychologically daring trip that explores terror in a fresh, if crazy, manner.But nevertheless,only the cast particularly Ben Kingsley saves this film from a complete disaster.

THE BACKGROUNDThe premise of this movie involves government experiments with "remote viewing" as a defense weapon during the cold war with USSR. And yes, the military (Pentagon) was experimenting with all kinds of bizarre experimental methodologies that not only mimicked the Russians but were often of their own creation. Remote viewing allows someone to "view" another place and time in their mind.Therefore, this movie really is a product of those paranoiac behaviors.EXTRASAnd it is a good one at that. You know the plot by now, so watch the movie. And do NOT miss the extras which explore quantum mechanics and the concept of zero, in which we are all interconnected by a miasma of energy.SERIAL KILLERS Everyone seems to try and "understand' the mind of a serial killer. Was it his/her background, talk shows, movies, the news, books, political parties, video games and on and on.REALITY Truth IS: Sly Stallone summed up the real deal with serial killers in TANGO AND CASH, where he confronts a killer, TANGO: :You are the disease and I am the cure". He then proceeds to shoot him. Quippy but accurate.

Emotional, suspenseful, somewhat gory and, unfortunately, subject matter that will probably always be relevant. Crazy rapist/murderer/child abductor, those things I cannot even begin to get into. As far as remote viewing is concerned, who knows? Our minds have such untouched capabilities. Its almost indisputable that certain people have what appears to be unnatural insights, but are they really unnatural? Uncovering the source of these discernments would certainly be revelatory. Could it be genetics? How about a God given Spirit driven talent only for the chosen? Maybe we all have the ability, same as walking or talking, but we have been over-socialized and under-transcendentalised.Aaron Ekhart and Carrie-Ann Moss were just OK as two FBI agents/love interests working together, once again, after experiencing problems in another field office. Ekhart definitely had his moments but Moss never did seem to commit to her role, as she usually does.Ben Kingsley, on the other hand, was absolutely brilliant, as usual. I even teared up at the end, empathizing with the pain he felt regarding sticking around in a world where one would continuously perceive the anguish of past brutality. In fact, it might have benefited the storyline, I think, to have examined his character's experiences just a bit further, maybe in a sort of abstract way. In my very inexperienced opinion, the movie would have benefited from more time with Kingsley's character, for the sake of further developing his character, and just for the quality of this film. But, what do I know? Ben Kingsley rocks!