Who knew the end of the spring season – historically the dumping ground for Hollywood’s substandard films - would bring audiences such a stylish and inspired thriller as “Disturbia”? The story has fun and flashy dialogue, natural interaction between cast members, a new spin on the stuck at home only to witness a crime story and legitimate scares and multiple close calls that will keep you riveted to the screen.
Shia LaBoeuf (originally from TV’s “Even Stevens”) turns in a solid performance as Kale, a high school student who, after a family tragedy, becomes a bit of a juvenile delinquent sentenced to house arrest. He is fitted with an ankle restraint allowing him to travel within a 100-foot radius around his home without alerting the police. While trying not to climb up the walls, he meets a hot new girl who moves in next door and starts a stakeout of the guy across the street who may be a serial killer.
With this relatively straightforward plot, the story naturally unfolds by developing from a family drama to a teen comedy and then swiftly into thriller territory.
Kale is a likeable character, even with his issues, and it’s better for the movie that LaBoeuf is not the standard Hollywood-type actor – he’s seems more realistic in the role. The movie tends to skew towards a younger audience, and thus has its characters seamlessly use today’s technology like cell phones and camcorders in ingenious and unique ways. However, since everyone has been to high school and likely been grounded before, the story is cross-generational, especially once the thriller portion kicks into high gear.
David Morse (“16 Blocks”) as next-door neighbor Mr. Turner is especially creepy and threatening, so much so that I may never be able to picture Morse as any other character.
What’s especially satisfying is the characters avoiding anything obviously stupid that would get them killed in the real world. All of the close calls and escapes were well planned out by the writers and director - it worked well within the perimeters of the plot and didn’t strain credibility.
Kale marks the borders of his home, so he knows the exact distance he can go without setting off the ten-second alarm on his ankle restraint, adding to the tension when he needs to get beyond it. With his binoculars, he can see friends and family seemingly in danger - should he go to help them and risk the police coming or wait? The tension builds as you’re likely to decide what you would do in that situation.
Carrie Ann Moss (“The Matrix”) appears in a small but important role as Kale’s mother, and she shows tough love for her son and is not sure what to believe about what’s going on. With its fast moving plot, the story has interesting characters, is easy to get into and has many ‘run for your life’ moments.
'Disturbia' is smart, funny and scary - a deadly combination.
