Thr3e

Honestsly, I felt as though this movie was a let down. After reading some reviews I was under the impression it was a seat gripping thriller, while after seeing television reviews I believed it was a horror story. In all I expected some jumping, possible shock induced gasping/screaming, not too much gore (if any), etc. Yet none of that fell into place. I realize there wasn't much room for character development because that could ruin certain aspects of the film, but neglecting plot? Completely uncalled for. More often than not I found myself trying to predict in order to fill in gaps. It was like a high school production of a "horror" film; I could have laughed in more places than been intrigued or anxious. It seemed dated, low budget and had many ridiculous scenarios that go along with classic predictablity. It was a let down, a definite non-must see, and nothing you'd miss out on. Save you're $10.25 for lunch tomorrow.

The basic premise of "Three" is unimaginative but potentially interesting: for reasons that are initially unclear, a theology student is targeted by a psychopath (the "Riddle Killer") who forces him to confront the dark corners of his past. As those close to him start to die, the only people who stand by our hero are his longtime female friend and a police psychologist whose brother was one of said murderer's victims.

This film drags the viewer through a series of pedestrian chases, shootouts, and assorted close calls for our heroic trio before reaching a fairly predictable climax. Other, better, films ("Saw", "Flatliners", "Never Talk to Strangers", "Fear", the list is truly endless) have covered this ground before and done so with far more originality, imagination, and style. The direction is by-the-numbers, and the cast are competent but lack charisma. It is no surprise that this dud vanished from theaters. It is puzzling that anyone thought it a good idea (tax write-off?) to make this film in the first place.

There is no way this film can be confused with other thrillers. It's the movie version of the book Thr3e by Ted Dekker. The book is excellent and this film is an attempt to tell the complex story of the book simply. Being a movie, there is less time for the detail which made the book especially clever, but the film does tell the story reasonably well. If you have read the book you will want to see this movie. I really enjoyed seeing the story I'd read play out on screen. In fact the look of the cast was so close to the way I'd imagined that it took me back to my experience reading. If you haven't read the book or you aren't a big reader you may want to get the book on tape or see the movie twice. It's hard to get all the details in one viewing. I took my husband who hasn't read the book and he was a bit confused at first. The book is certainly a must read if you like thrillers and for me this film was a must see.

Possible spoilers...as if that could happen with this gobbler. Right off the bat, I had three problems: 1) the tough lady cop looks like a fashion model; 2) the hero lives in a converted warehouse, complete with a cage-type elevator; 3) the dog dies. All about as hackneyed as it gets. Added along the way: another tough, gun-toting fashion-model, a girlfriend this time; some pretty unlikely plot elements; a trio of REALLY overacting crazy people; and a "shocking ending" which bounces around so much that any surprise ends up falling flat--particularly with the whacky Mel Brooks' "don't nobody move" flourish. Mix it all up with a heavy dose of third-rate Christian pop-psychology (I know, I know, that's redundant), and you got "Thr3e". And you can have it.

Okay, that's a little harsh. There was some tension, some action, some effective atmosphere. So I give it 2 stars. I mean, it wasn't as bad as Paretti, but then Paretti's pretty BAD.

Speaking of which, how about we get a new Rating Category: CT, for "Christian Themed"? So that those of us who don't buy into that particular brand of hocus-pocus can make better informed choices about what and what not to watch.

I couldn't help but feel I was watching a SAW runoff.... It had the same look and feel as SAW did... Looks like someone was capitalizing on the success of that movie. I couldn't help but feel I was watching a SAW runoff.... It had the same look and feel as SAW did... Looks like someone was capitalizing on the success of that movie. I couldn't help but feel I was watching a SAW runoff.... It had the same look and feel as SAW did... Looks like someone was capitalizing on the success of that movie. I couldn't help but feel I was watching a SAW runoff.... It had the same look and feel as SAW did... Looks like someone was capitalizing on the success of that movie.