Such a frustrating disappointment

People are voting emotionally.

Good start, but then it gets ruined

good back-story, and good acting

David Allen Griffin is a cool killer- time and time again, he chooses a female victim, studies her for weeks till he knows her routine to the smallest detail, makes meticulous preparations using his forensic knowledge to gain entry when she's quite alone, subdues her and administers a long, torturous death. Despite the big names such as Spader, Tomei, Hudson and Reeves 'The Watcher' is a poorly made and written thriller that it doesn't define it's storyline or it's characters actions and it's definitely a huge and forgettable disappointment.

This movie had so much promise to a thrilling cat and mouse suspense piece. However I was quickly let down by the lack of depth to the film's main story. The premise was intriguing: a former FBI agent is on the hunt of a twisted serial killer through the streets of Chicago. Sadly the story moves too quickly for its own good and doesn't flesh out much backstory for any of the main players in the drama; particularly a lack of motive for why the film's killer is so anxious for the agent to catch him.Actor James Spader as the FBI agent is a poor use of the man's talents for playing complex characters. Spader spends most of the film moping around and attempting to be serious on catching the psychotic killer. His chemistry with co-star Marisa Tomei (playing his shrink) is sorely lacking as Tomei's doctor is meant to be Spader's main source of support. It is really disappointing how little of a backstory we get on Agent Joel Campbell. If the viewer is meant to connect with its hero then there should be depth to the character's state of mind.Playing the psychotic killer is a disturbing Keanu Reeves who does manage to ooze sinister charm into his role. Reeves does seem to relish his part as the antagonist as he portrays a sick glee in his murderous exploits and mind games with James Spader's Joel Campbell. Sadly Reeves's character is also not fleshed out as to his motivation for becoming a serial killer. Nor is his obsession with being caught by Campbell understandable. It's blatantly clear that David Griffin is psychologically disturbed, but where this first surfaced is all unclear. If the film's script had tighter than we would've had a better understanding of the importance of the "race against the clock" game Griffin initiates with Campbell.

This dreadful film is one of the best examples available of Hollywood crap! In place of an intriguing plot, there is gee-whiz camera work. Instead of crisp dialogue, there are pointless shifts from positive images to negative colour. Instead of catchy drama, there is mindless and sensational violence and a head thumping soundtrack. Technically, it is well done. But then impressive high technology is not unique to movies. It's also used effectively in the processing of garbage, where this DVD most certainly will find its deserved fate. I bought the DVD at a garage sale. Better had I spent my one (Canadian) dollar on the leaky ballpoint pen or the scratched up Mitch Miller LP.

The inevitable influence of MTV and Music Videos on Mainstream Movies is glaringly evident in this hyper-kinetic Serial Killer Film that is nothing if an attempt to stimulate the synapses with razzle-dazzle beyond belief.A Casting reversal is haunting as things unfold in this almost average presentation of pomp and circumstance that is inconsistent and at times, especially in the end, incoherent. Spader would have been a better choice as the charming Serial Killer and Reeves would have been more at home with his limited Acting chops as the Detective.It is not bad but nothing memorable. How many of those dated Music Videos from MTV's Golden Age are lingering in the Mind. So here it is, a Video influenced Movie with little depth of field, bright and shiny, Whizzy and Bangy, images separating and splintering, with light trails everywhere. But in the end it just goes Poof, gone like a smoke ring.