RED LIGHTS is a tense thriller which might make you question what you saw, but the ending should have been a little less obvious (even though all the clues were there for that ending).  Robert DeNiro is at his scenery chewing best while the movie belongs to Cillian Murphy and Sigourney Weaver.  The cinematography is colorful, full of contrast, and nice shadows.  It is the type of movie that is all about belief and wanting to believe in something so bad.   It is a thriller that focuses on the brain not being the most reliable witness in a world where skeptics want to prove or disprove things.

 

Simon Silver (Robert DeNiro) is a blind psychic who has come out of retirement after 30 years.  His last performance resulted in the death of one of his most famous detractors.  Dr. Tom Buckley (Cillian Murphy) wants to prove Simon is a fraud despite the warnings of his boss, Dr. Margaret Matheson (Sigourney Weaver), to stay away from Simon.   Tom and Margaret are scientists who investigate paranormal phenomena only to find no signs of the paranormal.  They are looking for “red lights” or discordant things that are out of place.  The first half of the film builds everything up while the second half gets to the real meat of the film where Buckley is trying to find a way to expose Simon. 

 

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Cast interviews with Cillian Murphy, Sigourney Weaver, and Robert DeNiro as they talk about their characters and working with the director.  Sigourney reveals she wants to work in Barcelona again (which I think she got her wish since she also starred in a Spanish based movie COLD LIGHT OF DAY).

 

Director interview is in English

 

Making-of featurette talks about the characters, the director, and the visuals of RED LIGHTS.   The cast talk in English while the director and cinematographer speak in Spanish.   The director reveals he wanted to shoot the movie like a 1970s political thriller.

 

Behind-the-scenes footage is about two minutes of B roll footage from during the production.    Also included are the theatrical trailer, previews for other releases, a digital copy of RED LIGHTS.

 

FINAL ANALYSIS:  RED LIGHTS is a thriller with a few surprises only flawed by its ending.

 

This DVD review is (c)10-5-2012 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission.  Send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com