Review of What Lies Beneath

Introduction

Robert Zemeckis has always been an outstanding director of family films. Pictures like the Back To The Future trilogy or Who Framed Roger Rabbit are classics. It`s just a shame that when he chooses to try to make the "ultimate thriller", he produces something so completely pedestrian.

The plot of What Lies Beneath is convoluted, and to go over it here would only spoil what potential surprises the movie has for the unwitting viewer. Having said that, there are some nicely creepy moments, one or two really startling camera tricks and at least a couple of moments that`ll have you going "huh??"

Had the script been written by Zemeckis`s long time collaborator Bob Gale, I`m sure the movie would have out-Hitched Hitchcock. As it is, you have a pleasing thriller on your hands but nothing totally unsettling.

Video

The picture is spot on, as you would expect, presented in anamorphic widescreen 2.35:1. Colours are muted, but that suits the subject material.

Audio

Dolby Digital 5.1 - what else? There are some genuinely unsettling audio effects on the soundtrack that the casual listener might miss.

Features

You would be surprised not to have a Director`s Audio Commentary on a picture like this, and any opportunity to hear a great director like Bob Zemeckis should be taken by film fans. The Featurette `Constructing The Perfect Thriller` is possibly false advertising, but it`s nice to at least see clips of Zemeckis`s long-overdue-other-titles in DVD quality. There`s also a trailer, Production Notes and Cast & Crew Biographies.

Conclusion

A good night in with friends. Nothing to send you over the back of the settee, but a competently handled thriller.