Rating: PG-13
Starring: Shia Labeouf, Sarah Roener, Carrie-Anne Moss
Rating: 3.8 stars
After the death of his father, Kale Brecht - a well-adjusted teenager - plunges into a anger-dominated depression; he gets into serious trouble in school and is confined to a period of house arrest. Bored, and with no place to go, he turns to the study of watching his suburban neighbors, looking for some spark of excitement. Beware of what you wish for, they say...Kale gets a glimpse of weird things going on in a neighbor's house; weird enough to make him suspect that the man is a serial killer. Helped by his loyal best friend and a very attractive girl who moves in next door, the trio sets out to prove that the seemingly normal guy in the house nearby is a real monster? But is he really? Or are the kids just being pushed by overactive imaginations? This very entertaining and suspenseful thriller gets a higher rating due primarily to the wonderful performance of Shia Labeouf (who plays Kale). This charismatic and exceptional young actor keeps the story from losing its spark; I always thought - and now more than ever after seeing Shia on the newest "Indiana Jones" installment - that young Mr. Labeouf will have a stellar road ahead of him. In my opinion, he is one of the most promising young talents of his generation. He surely brings defining depth to this movie, and it is just enough to keep you hanging and flinching as the teenagers get deeper into trouble while investigating the suspicious man next door. Who says nothing exciting ever happens in the suburbs?
