There are some films that just get better with each viewing and Zodiac is one of them. Although this is the director's cut, which is supposed to be apart from the theatrical cut, there is very little difference (that I can tell) from the two. In fact, what is stranger is that the Director's Cut is Rated R, which, I thought films that were not rated would go unrated. Usually films that are just released for DVD tend to not go through the process, so I am curious how this one got a rating. Needless to say, one of the reasons may be is that there seems to be no difference from the theatrical version, save for the 5 extra minutes that are on it.

But a director's cut is not always about putting in extra material, or adding all the "scenes not allowed for theatrical release", etc. Sometimes, as, say in the case of Picnic at Hanging Rock, the Criterion release is a director's cut which is actually shorter than the theatrical version. So really what it intends is a re-arrangement of how the director had intended it to be.

With Zodiac, I dont know the exact changes in the film, whether pacing, scene changes, adding additional scenes, removing any, etc., but I do know I thoroughly enjoyed it much more than the first time I had watched it. It did not look any different, but I was more involved in what was happening. David Fincher is certainly on top of his art in this one, even if it is a very different movie from his previous work, it is still an engrossing piece of cinema that will only get better with each viewing.

Fincher has really refined his craft as a young director and established himself as a major force in Hollywood, both artistically and creatively. Examining his career is an entertaining and exciting history as each film is unique unto themselves, yet offers you insight into Fincher as the artist and how he carries out his work. His first major work, Aliens 3 is a very respectable piece of cinema that can stand on its own, even if its just an obligatory sequel, but Fincher makes the most of it and pulls off an effective film. Even previous to this, you can see his work in the music video realm working on Madonna's videos with some of her most popular songs, and, for all intents and purposes, some of her most famous music videos like Vogue and Express Yourself (he has also directed other videos intermittenly with big names like Michael Jackson, Sting and Aerosmith, and other Madonna videos.).

Following Aliens 3 came the film that launched his name as the new guy on the block to look for: Se7en. Not only was this an incredible film to watch that kept you glued to the screen and afraid to watch, but with a unique style that, to not notice it meant you did not see the film. The film that perhaps put a question mark next to his name, in my opinion was The Game, which was a great film, but somehow did not pull me in the way Se7en did. I felt as if something was missing in the film. Aesthetically it has every element for a great film, but somehow I felt it was too surreal to find myself in that world of uncertainty. Maybe for me its unresolved and the ending has unclosed feelings about the experience that Michael Douglas goes through. Again, it stands as a staple of Finchers excellent direction and knack of finding unique projects, but I dont think its his strongest work. Now there is sophomoric woes to worry about once being on top to try and come up with something better. Fincher pulls out all the stops and comes up with Fight Club.

Fight Club became an instant classic and cult film by merging great story telling with artistic integrity, and yet, allowing a large audience to participate. Here Fincher is the one the hottest properties in Hollywood working with A-list actors, great budgets, and certain artistic freedom to determine his projects. Fight Club continues to include new members every day, either through the film or from Chuck Palahniuk's book. The idea of a secret club to fight each other with strict rules, run by legendary Tyler Durden, obviously had more appeal to the public at large than one might first suspect. Rumors of real fight clubs emerge.

The next film, Panic Room, that Fincher releases did not catch my attention as much. The trailers suggested to me a taut thriller that I felt I had seen before, or minimally just not interested in. Very glossy and stylish that seemed more of a Hollywood obligation than anything Fincher would want to do by himself. Add that with Jodi Foster, whom I am not a big fan of, makes this a less than interesting film. But when I did see it on DVD, I was really impressed with the film. It kept me totally engaged through the entire film. It was exciting, well executed and paced and had a logical drive behind all of the characters. Even Jodi was tolerable for me. So this gave Fincher that much more respect from me.

Finally, it brings us back here, to Zodiac. While I was not able to see it in the theaters, I was happy to have seen it on DVD. The major criticism that I came across from reviews is that the pacing is slow. True, is a slowly developing film. But one of the reasons I have come to love this film so much is that, although it is slow, it really keeps you involved the entire time. There is so much going on, with all the letters, phone calls and killings by the Zodiac, and how Fincher manages to offer as much infomation as possible without getting you confused by it all, is a feat by itself.

When I first watched the film, I felt the movie was a little divided and lengthy. First it is separated by seeing the killings and all the mail and phone calls the police and the San Francisco Chronicle was getting. Jake Gyllenhal, who was a top billing, seemed to have a minor role in this film, while Robert Downey Jr and Mark Ruffalo were more out in front. But as time goes on, it switches, and Gyllenal's role is emphasized, while the others are set back some. Actually Ruffalo maintained probably the most consistent on screen time above all of them. Needless to say, the second half of the film involved Gyllenhal's character, Robert Graysmith, who does his own investigation to write his book (which became Zodiac Unmasked). 

So there are almost two stories being told at once. Initially its not really set out like that, so the thread of the film changes course. Watching it the second time around with the director's cut, i felt less that it was broken into two films, but rather it did change courses, but not because of any illogical force or bad scripting, but because that is where the story follows. Basically Graysmith picked up the pieces where the police had left off. Again, I dont know how much was changed, save for the additional 5 minutes, but I definitely liked this movie better the second time.

 The film runs at 162 minutes on this set, which is a lengthy film, but it never gets boring, only more interesting as they come closer to a resolve. All of the actors were perfectly cast and performed well with each other, and the scenes and settings were accurate to the time and location. 

Now, if I have not said that this is a great film, then I will say it. This is a great film. It may take some preparation to the length and you might feel challenged by the pace, but there nothing about this film that needs to be changed.

But how do you make this movie better? Well, you don't change the movie, but you add awesome special features on the DVD. This is a set to own, not rent. There are a few obligatory features that you can pass by, like the trailer, making of, special effects - all propaganda featurettes. But, there are 2 documentaries that are a must watch. First is the 90 minute documentary that is brand new on an in-depth retrospective of the investigation that interviews the police force active at the time of the killings, interviews and memoirs from the survivors of the Zodiac, witnesses and revisitations of the locales. The second documentary, which is about 30 minutes, examines the prime suspect of the Zodiac (which if you have not seen it, I will leave the name out for you to be surprised). While all the evidence points to this person, no actual person was brought on the charges of the Zodiac killings.

There are a few other features that are most certainly worth going into and those are the two additional commentaries. One of by director David Fincher, who flies solo on this one. The second is by the cast which has Jake Gyllenal, Robert Downey, Jr., Brad Fischer, James Vanderbilt and James Ellroy. It is too bad they did not include Mark Ruffalo and Anthony Edwards which would have rounded it out very well, but regardless, this is an all star cast doing commentaries. That is enough to tell you how much they were involved and feel how important this film is. And if that is not enough, the packaging is very cool. Created like one of the letters sent by Zodiac to the Chronicle. Perhaps the only setback to this DVD is that there is no insert (I am starting to get annoyed by all these releases without inserts!). Its a 2-disc set, much the way 1900 is set up, a DVD on the left and right of the case when you open it up. I think that is one of the reaons Criterion is so great is that they give their films historical context, which, sadly, most films are not allowed that opportunity.

Fincher has two projects in the works, which now I am very interested in. Each film he makes establishes him as one of the finest and most consistent talents that Hollywood has to offer.  

Aside from the standard DVD, it also available on HD-DVD (only) appears to have the same features. 

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