Apr 13, 2007 11:43 am US/Pacific
Laughs Plus Thrills In 'Disturbia'
3 Reels Out Of 4
CBS 5 Film Critic James Rocchi
(CBS 5)
When troubled teen Shia LaBeouf lashes out in grief, he slugs a teacher -- and gets three months house arrest. He figures he'll pass the time by watching the neighbors: The bratty kids behind the house, the cute girl who just moved in next door (Sarah Roemer) .... and the lawn-care fanatic who just might be a serial killer (David Morse).
Disturbia feels like one part Rear Window and one part Scooby-Doo -- fortunately, the film makers know this, and keep things moving. LaBeouf has a good grasp on the comedy (which is funnier than you'd think) and the action (which is more satisfying than you might have expected) in the film, and director DJ Caruso keeps things moving with a light, fast pace that doesn't exactly keep you guessing, but does keep you entertained.
Fun and fast and tense where it wants to be, Disturbia's a nice little nail-biter that gets thoroughly modern thrills and laughs out of an old-school premise.
"Sarah Roemer and Shia LaBeouf star in "Disturbia." DreamWorks SKG
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