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Very quickly he realises that his assignment has placed him
in extreme danger and he not only has to watch his back, but
work out why the book is worth killing for.
Now, The Ninth Gate is not your hack and slash horror
movie, nor is it so convoluted you cannot make sense of it.
It is a beautifully paced mystery thriller that carries you
along through an ever increasing feeling of menace.
And, considering the director is Roman Polanski, that comes
as no surprise. Ooooh, I still shudder when I think of The
Tenant.
He has shot the movie in subdued autumn tones - which always
add to atmosphere in an occult film - and the transfer is
very good.
The sound, however, is remarkably front oriented. While
you get lovely music in surround, the dialogue and sound effects
pop straight out at you.
Johnny Depp is terrific as Corso but, again, no surprise.
He plays the role straight and with more than a hint of flawed
character coming through.
Frank Langella is his employer and he has come up with a
micely judged performance that is both suave and humorously
nasty.
Emmanuelle Seigner is the lovely mystery woman who keeps
showing up near Corso.
The Ninth Gate is a stylish movie that is well worth
watching and will appeal to those who like a moody, interesting
night of mystery rather than jumping at every sudden appearance
of a steel-blade-fingered killer.
Conclusion: Movie 80%, Extras 60%
Continued:
DVD details at a glance >
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