The Popkorn Junkie :: Panic Room

David Fincher is one of the best directors around today. With the film "Seven", he solidified his position as one of the greatest American directors around, and with "Fight Club" he demonstrated his immense vision and mass numbers of cinematic innovations. He is truly a class act who knows how to keep suspense taut and rewarding. "Panic Room" is his greatest film yet, even surpassing the extraordinary "Seven" in terms of plotting, pacing, and pure entertainment. With "Panic Room", Fincher has woven a large game of Chess.

In the game of Chess, the two sides are Meg Altman and Burnham. Meg Altman is a recently divorced, extremely wealthy woman who buys a large house in Manhattan with her daughter Sarah (Kristen Stewart). Unfortunately for them, three thieves learn that there may be millions somewhere in the house, so they break in to try and find the loot. The catch--Foster and her daughter lock themselves in a third floor room known as 'the panic room', reinforced by steal and virtually impenetrable. The film from that point is the Chess match between Burnham (Forest Whitaker) trying to get into the room and Altman (Jodie Foster) trying to keep her daughter safe. Dwight Yoakam co-stars as one of the thieves, Raoul, who brings a gun to the home, enraging Burnham, who does not like violence. Jared Leto stars as Junior, the thief who orchestrated the entire burglary, but the one who also seems the most useless in the trio.

"Panic Room" works for several reasons. The screenplay is top notch and definitely deserves recognition at the 2003 Academy Awards. Also, the performances in this film are exquisite. Foster is wonderful, as always, and really gives the part her all. Forest Whitaker is creepy, yet thoughtful as the sinister crook, and Dwight Yoakam plays one hell of a convincing bad guy. Almost every minute of this film is suspenseful, a rare quality of any thriller. David Fincher is a master of manipulating the audience, which he does in "Panic Room" by never letting the audience get too far ahead. And, having most of the film set in one location like the 'panic room' adds to the overall feeling of confinement and terror.

The reviews I have read of this film have been less than flattering, and I just can't see why. "Panic Room" is much better than "Fight Club" and somewhat better than "Seven". After I was finished watching this film, I started thinking--"What was there not to like about this film?" You know what--I couldn't think of a single thing. David Fincher continues to impress me with each and every film he churns out, and he is like a latter day Alfred Hitchcock. In fact, he may more closely resemble Hitchcock in style than any other director since Hitchcock. He is that amazing and "Panic Room" is one of the best thrillers of the past ten years.

-- Billy Ray ( 4 out of 4 pops )

Talk about this film with other Popkorn Junkies

Other Junkie's opinions.....

James ( 3 out of 4 pops )

This film is by the same guy who brought us "Fight Club", "Se7en", and "The Game". I think that speaks for itself. I went into this film not knowing much about it, except that it starred Jodie Foster and Forrest Whitaker, both one of my favorite actors. I was pleasantly surprised to see Jared Leto as well. This film is a great example of the suspense/thriller genre. It shouldn't be missed. Also, Kristen Stewart, who plays the kid, did awesome considering she's only 11. Who knows, if she's serious about acting, I think we have the next Jodie Foster in her. Great movie, decent story, superb acting.

Matt ( 3 out of 4 pops )

I don't have much to say, other than this movie delivers. It's an edge-of-your-seat thriller and I was on the edge of my seat. The acting is great. Nice to see Jodie Foster and Forrest Whitaker on screen again, both wonderful actors. Jared Leto is over-the-top, but amusing and provides comic relief. The only thing I have to dispute is David Fincher's direction. I felt his hyperkinetic direction worked out great in "Fight Club"--one of my favorites--because it really fit the tone. But some of Fincher's trademark shots seem a little hammy in this film (i.e.: the camera gliding across the kitchen, the camera tilting down from the floor to the ceiling of the next floor). But for the most part, his direction worked and I liked the use of lighting. If you want to see a real nail-biting, compelling thriller--then "Panic Room" is the movie for you!

Mike ( 3 out of 4 pops )

"Panic Room" is a very good thriller which mades an out-there storyline a believable and tense film. Jodie Foster puts in her usual fine performance as well as did Forrest Whitaker. The movie keeps you guessing and the director Fincher puts in many of his unique signature scenes. The film reminded me a lot of the old Peckinpah film "Straw Dogs" with Dustin Hoffman. My only complaint was that I didn't like how Fincher wrapped up the film in the end. He went for an over the top Hollywood ending instead of a more believable, satisfying one... which I won't comment on in order not to give the ending away.

Pappy ( 2 1/2 out of 4 pops )

Don’t ya just hate it when a movie reminds you so much of an older classic movie? In this case I kept thinking of Audrey Herburn’s great thriller "Wait Until Dark". In that she is a blind lady all alone in an apartment while crooks try every way they can to get in to steal something in the apartment. I spent so much time comparing "Wait Until Dark" to the "The Panic Room" that I really couldn’t enjoy Jodie’s latest. "Panic" just did not compare well with the older film. What creeped me out the most was the unisex-looking daughter in Jodie’s movie.