Rating: 
Summary: Bad Movie Warning!
Review: There are masterpieces in the serial killer genre, like Silence of the Lambs. Then there are the excellent ones, like Seven, but most are just improbable and poorly acted. Unfortunately, this is where The Watcher wallows.Ever the method actor, Keanu Reeves has grown his hair longer to play a conscience-challenged misanthrope who likes piano wire and young women's necks. See Keanu act. Act, Keanu, act. Reeves has shown much more earnestness. After Speed and The Matrix, I even started to like him, but this kind of character is beyond his depth, and he doesn't seem to even try. He hasn't been this boring since Bram Stoker's Dracula. As a serial killer, he exudes the menace of kelp. James Spader is the FBI agent who is haunted by Keanu. He wanders glassy-eyed through the movie, apparently wondering what happened to his career after Sex, Lies and Videotape. He doesn't find his career, but he finds Keanu, and all too easily. It is a moment that should be rife with tension and I was more interested in my popcorn kernels. Then the movie steals a major plot device from The Vanishing (Dutch and U.S. versions) and I just had to leave the theater. I can't tell you what happened in the last fifteen minutes. I don't really care. This is uninspired film making, with the tension of Pee Wee's Big Adventure.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice filming techniques, solid acting.
Review: "It's never quite that easy... you go through the door, they're never just sitting there waiting for you with a welcoming smile on their face. Best you can do is hope they screw up and do what you can to be there when they do." "The Watcher" is the most recent addition to a long line of serial killer thriller films, and it does a somewhat commendable job in carrying out its plot. In reality, it is little more than a highly stylized showcase for all of the classic thriller cliches that have become so well-known throughout the last century, taking them and giving them an extra flare by using stunning cinematic tricks, a stellar cast and a pounding soundtrack. I am divided as to whether I like this movie or not: I enjoyed the vast array of shocking and vivid images, while I tended to become a bit bored by the cliches it portrayed throughout. I can't say that I completely hated this film, yet I cannot fully like it, either. The movie begins when FBI agent Joel Campbell begins receiving phone calls and photographs from his arch nemesis, a serial killer whose last alias was that of David Allen Griffin. He takes special care in killing lonely women with piano wire, leaving the scene of the crime with no trace of his identity. Campbell has a personal connection to Griffin: through his flashbacks, we see his attempt to rescue a woman trapped in a burning house, and his relationship to this woman as well as his involvement with Griffin will all be revealed in due time, one of the movie's attributes. The beginning of the movie may seem draggy the first fifteen minutes, as we are taken into the depths of Campbell's psychological and physical problems, but the movie will pick up once Griffin makes contact. We learn that Griffin has followed Campbell to Chicago from Los Angeles, out of some desire unknown to the audience. Campbell's therapist, Polly Beilman, believes that they have become so enamored with one another, the killer with eluding Campbell, and Campbell with catching his prey, that one would not know how to live without the other. Campbell receives a phone call from Griffin, who offers him a single chance to locate his victims within a 24-hour period of time. As he begins selecting his victims, the chase is on as Campbell picks up more clues and hints as to the location and identity of Griffin. Sounds good, right? So what is it about this thriller that partially ruins it? For me, it was the extensive amount of cliches that the movie contains, from the very beginning until the ending, which is a little unsatisfying. The movie contains its fair share of bungling cops who always arrive one minute too late to save the victim from their grizzly fate. This leaves it up to one man, the only smart one of the bunch, to try and decifer all the clues on his own, temporarily aided in scenes where he needs it. This formula has been used so many times, it's a bit of a letdown that script writers David Elliot and Clay Ayers could not come up with something more original. There is one of two good things about this movie, though, and that is its sense of style and filming techniques. The beginning sequences does a good job of instilling a slight sense of fear in the viewers, which is also carried on throughout the remainder of the film by the flashy cinematography which includes the grainy images as seen from Griffin's point of view, slow-motion flashbacks that leave us to use our imaginations when constructing crime scenes, and fast-moving scenes during intense action sequences. There is an offbeat vision and sensory style to this film which allows it to rise out of the depths of film hell. The soundtrack also adds a lot of pulsating bass beats to add to the unease intended by the filmmakers, while also delivering a killer soundtrack of alternative music to accompany the pursuits. This movie is also not unlike one of Reeves' others films, "Chain Reaction," which contained some of the best action sequences while possessing a faulty story. The case for this movie is similar, as there is another stunning cavalcade of action effects and suspense-building scenes. The cops-versus-Griffin chase scenes offer a lot in terms of suspense, while also keeping the movie going at a steady pace. Another turnon for the film is the way in which the murder scenes are carried out. There is not a vast amount of blood or gore in these scenes, which allows us to use more of our imagination in putting it together as it happens. I like it when a movie is able to do this, instead of taking gore and passing it off as art. Actors for "The Watcher" deliver quality performances that make the movie enjoyable. James Spader plays the delusional detective Joel Campbell, and he does a perfect job in delivering Campbell's emotions when it comes to pursuing his target. We are able to believe in his not wanting to give up despite the effects it may have on him physically and emotionally. Spader plays Campbell as a stern and aggressive character, the character to root for throughout. Keanu Reeves plays his rival, David Allen Griffin, and does one of his better acting jobs here. This is material he was born to play... he possesses wit and a certain twisted charm that is intrical to Griffin's character, and that makes him a better serial killer than most other movies. Oscar winner Marisa Tomei plays therapist Polly Beilman, though she is not really able to display a lot of her talent in this film, as it focuses mainly on the two leads and their physical and psychological battle with one another. I give "The Watcher" three stars on the basis of its cinematography, its acting, its action sequences, and its unrealized potential. The story does leave a lot to be desired in terms of originality, but it can be a lot of fun if you don't think too much about it. The fast pace of the film never hinders, and the actors never fail in giving us performances to cheer for. We almost wish we could extract the characters and place them in a different movie, but nonetheless, it remains enjoyable on a strictly basic level.
Rating:
Summary: WATCH IT ONCE
Review: The serial killer thriller has become a fan favorite but THE WATCHER misses the mark. While it does hold some entertainment value it completely lacks in originality and character development. There are no tremendous WOWs that surface as the film progresses. James Spader does a fair job with the role of Campbell, an FBI agent who moved from L.A. to Chicago to escape the memories of a haunting unsolved series of murders. The problem is that the psychopathic killer Griffin (Keanu Reeves) has followed him. Griffin puts Agent Campbell is a deadly game of beat the clock each time he takes another girl. The question is, Will Campbell catch him before the stakes becomes personal yet again? This question is answered in a predictable climax. While the plot is unoriginal it still remains interesting. The main problem is that Reeves does not give his character what it needs. Where Griffin should be maniacal he comes across as silly . The character is nowhere near as menacing as he should be. James Spader and Maris Tomei are O.K. but they fail to deliver the pop that would have made this film a four star affair. Overall the film isnt that exciting nor is it that boring. It is a good rental and microwave popcorn flick.....just dont have your hopes too high. A solid three star film.
Rating: 
Summary: GRIPPING...AND VERY SUSPENSEFUL!
Review: Burned-out FBI agent Jack Campbell (James Spader) has left LA and settled in Chicago. Still tormented by the nightmares of a serial killer that has not been caught, Jack, tries to put back the pieces of his life, with the help of his psychiatrist (Marisa Tomei), but his life is about to take a turn for the worse. David Allen Griffin (Keanu Reeves) is the killer that got away, and he has followed Jack to Chicago. He has a nasty game he wants to play, and Jack is the key player. Griffin will send Jack a photograph of each victim on the day he plans to murder them, if they are to stay alive, Jack must find them before 9:00pm. As the game of cat and mouse heats up, so do the stakes, for Griffin knows what makes Jack tick, and the next victim may be someone very close to him. "The Watcher" is a gripping thriller, that glues you to your seat from the first five minutes, and hurtles you through a twisted maze of madness. Very few movies can give away the identity of the killer in the opening and still be suspenseful, but "The Watcher" pulls it off by creating an atmosphere of tension that never lets up. James Spader is (as always) very good as the mentally scarred FBI agent, and Keanu Reeves takes a nice turn in the role of the totally deranged killer. Exciting plot, suspense, action, and very good acting make this a must own for thriller fans. Nick Gonnella
Rating: 
Summary: THE USUAL DOSAGE
Review: There sure aren't a lot of great movies coming out these days, espesially in the "thriller" category. "The Watcher" bears this heavy burden. The movie is NOT awful, and it IS entertaining at key points, but at the same time it doesn't bring anything new or particularly interesting to the table either. It starts out quite unappealing but mid-way through becomes quite thrilling, but the ever-so-crucial climax is underwhelming. This is one of those movies that, ten minutes after you've seen it, you've already forgotten all about it. It's one of those movies that makes you wonder why it would be greenlit in the first place because of its complete lack of originality and wide appeal. James Spader DOES make a surprisingly good burnt out hero, and, without a doubt, he is the film's saving grace. Keanu Reeves is, as always, Keanu Reeves,except now he's got his long hair back and kills people. It's probably not something you'll regret spending a few hours to watch, but once you have it's doubtful that you will ever give it a second thought.
Rating:
Summary: bummer !
Review: This film has every "arty" camera angle you can think of, which may be cool in a music video, but 97 minutes of it is exasperating.
I'm a big James Spader fan, but he's utterly wasted here, and Keanu Reeves bravely tries to lift this out of the mire with a lovely performance considering the part (fortunately it's a small one), but to no avail. In the end, all you have is a feeling of emptiness...a sad "what a waste of talent and opportunity" kind of feeling. The ending is an insult to one's intelligence, with a script that sounds as if it was scrambled together at the last minute. Not only is it unimaginitive and stupid, but illogical, because that kind of phone doesn't work that way. Marco Beltrami's score is really terrific, probably the best thing about this film, so skip the movie, and get the soundtrack.
Rating:
Summary: Unwatchable
Review: I won't even jump on the bandwagon and bash Keanu because he did fit the role for the killer and do a decent acting job. James Spader also fit the role of a down on his luck "actor" I mean cop who is trying to drive his life into the ground by making bad choices like "Supernova" I mean using drugs. All humor aside this movie just lacked something. To many flashbacks, a non-existent supporting cast, and an anti-climatic ending make this movie UNWATCHABLE.
Rating:
Summary: Superior offering
Review: I saw "The Watcher" in September when it first came out, and found it to be an intelligent though not overly original thriller. The real highlight of the film of course is the charismatic James Spader, looking fabulous as usual, playing a substance abusing former cop. The premise of the film has been done before of course-serial killer becomes obsessed with the cop who wants to arrest him- but this movie is no "Kiss the Girls" but rather rises above its tired premise to new heights of suspense. Reeves, not the greatest actor but surely as good as the overrated Ben Affleck, really gives a great and scary performance as the killer searching for connectionless young woman to prey on. The film is interesting because it examines a phenomenon common in America today-lack of communication. It is very possible to get lost in the crowd and be a ghost in your own life. The film was also deeply psychologically disturbing, and poses many questions. But above all, its a must see for Spader's performance alone.
Rating:
Summary: Keanu Reeves make it get 5 stars
Review: um... This movie is ok. The plot is plausible, the characters believable, but do we really care? The only sane person in the whole picture is the killer himself David Allen Griffin [played very well by KEANU REEVES]. He's the only person with his head screwed on and going about with purpose in his life [albiet killing young ladies using piano wire...] As Griffin says to Detective Campbell [played by James Spader] 'I want you to say thank you for coming here and saving your pathetic life' because man, it's depressing to look at him in this film ~ Overly depressing. Makes you want to slash your wrists...LOL Now Ms Tomei's performance in this film is limited. They should have given her more scope, more lines. Then I would have been more simpathetic to her character. Either way, I couldn't have cared less for her situation. Regarding the direction of the piece all's I got to say is it gave me a headache. All this whizzy blurriness just put me off. I didn't know if I was watching MTV or a thriller. Stop the rollercoaster Mr Charbanic. That aside, the good points of this movie are it's use of suspense [you really wouldn't want Griffin lurking in your house after dark]. The underscore was superb [by Marco Beltrami] and highly recommended, and there are some nice action sequences. Keanu lifts the movie above the average ~ well done!
Rating:
Summary: Keanu just didn't cut it !
Review: After viewing this movie in the theater, I walked out not really suprised because I kinda figured the movie wouldn't be that good, but I tried it because I liked Keanu in the Matrix. Well, let me tell you, his "Whoa" voice that he speaks in just ruined his serial killer character because he just talked too goofy and wasn't scary at all. The darkness and spookiness of the movie gave it kind of a cool tone, but without a good bad guy, it's not a good movie!
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