plot twist a go-go

Unknown

* * 1/2

I always get a kick out of what people write on DVD cases. On the back on Unknown, someone says it is "in the same vein as The Usual Suspects and Memento." Here's what I say: if it weren't for either of those movies, Unknown would be an Oscar worthy picture. Since those other two movies already exist, this movie ends up being just an ok movie.

I don't have a problem with movies that have plot twists. Sometimes, there are too many. I remember watching The Recruit with Colin Farrell and Al Pacino and thinking that movie had WAY too many twists and turns. This one has the right amount, its just that its almost like you can start seeing the pieces fall into place based on casting. When you have a cast such as there is in Unknown, you can start guessing right off the bat who is good and who is bad and who is a cop and who is setting up someone else.

I liked the outright premise of this movie though. When I first saw a trailer for it, I thought it looked intriguing. Five strangers wake up in an abandoned warehouse. No one remembers anything about who they are or how they got there. There a couple of clues in the warehouse, but the bad guys are on their way, and times running out.

This movie is just ok. If you've seen The Usual Suspects or Memento before, this is nothing new for you. Otherwise, it isn't a bad movie. Its only 85 minutes long, so give it a chance I guess. I've just seen this movie way too many times already. And is it just me, or is anyone else getting sick of seeing Peter Stormare playing a bad guy?