2008 Woodie Awards
Disturbia, a home visit
Ryan Baladad
Issue date: 4/19/07 Section: The Scene
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Disturbia plays out to be a predictable and somewhat entertaining thriller that has a slow middle, but I must admit, it is a good date movie.
In this mediocre film, Kale (Shia LaBeouf), a troubled teenager, spends his summer on house arrest for punching his Spanish teacher in the face.
Because he cannot leave his house, Kale finds ways to keep himself entertained, eventually spying on surrounding neighbors.
The dramatic mother, Julie (Carrie-Anne Moss), makes Kale's stay more like a prison by "cutting" off his cable and Internet access.
Kale's voyeuristic tendencies soon increase, focusing on four households. His main focus is a new, attractive, female neighbor, who swims solo and keeps her blinds open.
Other targets include a cheating spouse, kids watching adult flicks, and lastly, Robert Turner, a middle-aged, single man, whom Kale suspects is a serial killer.
The plot thickens when Kale witnesses strange happenings involving a young woman at Turner's house.
His pal and much needed comic relief, Ronnie (Aaron Yoo), joins in on Kale's private viewing sessions.
On one stakeout, the pair get caught viewing the vixen in her two-piece bikini, as she steps out of her pool. Instantly, Ashley (Sarah Roemer), meets her admirers, and after a brief explanation of the supposed neighborhood sociopath, decides to join the spy club.
The newly-formed trio executes a recon mission and an investigation ensues with surprising results.
Aside from the main plot, the authority figures really overact their parts to the point of annoyance.
Kale and Ashley develope an interest in each other, only adding to the predictability.
Disturbia is best viewed under certain circumstances, maybe when on house arrest or when someone cannot leave the house.
Lastly, the commercials for this movie practically give away the ending, and imply that there is something wrong in the neighborhood. It goes to show that spying on someone could be a good thing.
Disturbia
The Scene rating:2/4
Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Carrie-Anne Moss, Aaron Yoo, Sarah Roemer
Director: D.J. Caruso
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