FBI cyber crimes agent Jennifer Marsh (Diane Lane) works with partner Griffin Dowd (Colin Hanks) to take down online criminals and they‘ve seen a lot. Then, a new psychopath reveals himself on a website that streams his murders live online and he makes the public his accomplices-- the more hits his site gets, the faster the victim dies. Unpleasant surprises await Jennifer as she tries to discover who the killer is and stop him once and for all.

CRITIQUE

Lately, it seems that most of the roles where women carry a film can be classified in the thriller genre. While talented women get to play not only mothers but members of strong professions like police officers, the quality of the resulting films can be hit or miss. The story of Untraceable is only partially successful, though solid direction and performances keep the film above average.

Gregory Hoblit is a director with a sure hand and the thriller, having helmed Fracture last year. The story here is more sensational and less complex, but his competence is clear. He seems to have a knack for assembling gifted technicians and actors, then presenting it all in a straight-forward manner that is usually effective. Though the murders are quite gross and unpleasant to look at, he realizes simple framing can do a lot and he manages to let the audience feel like they’re not always looking at a computer screen, which needed to be done with this film.

Problems with this film mostly come from the story. The writers are to be commended on some points. For instance, the premise is creepy as all get out. By the end of the film, you will almost be surprised that some horrible site like this doesn’t exist. Also, I like that there is no typical “twist” revealing that the killer is someone we know, which would have been silly. This is just a psychopath the cops need to take down, and that works better. The atmosphere created on the internet by this site, as seen in the postings that flash by when the site is actually shown on screen, feels authentic. Some people WOULD get a sick pleasure from it. This leads me to another thing done well-- making the idea of voyeurism come to hold some responsibility. If you watch, you help kill someone.

This brings up one of the things the film drops the ball on, though. The FBI is constantly watching this site, aren’t they helping these horrific things happen? That issue is never addressed. There is also a big point made of connecting the killer to the victims, but his third victim is one of the agents on this trail, so that loses a bit of weight. Plus, though a lot of technical talk is used to explain this, is it really possible a guy this close could be this hard to find? I mean, don’t his neighbors suspect anything? The cast, lead by the thoroughly talented Lane, does a lot to make us forget all this though.

Untraceable is a decent entry into its genre, mostly thrilling, well-directed and with a terrific cast.

THE VIDEO

Untraceable is presented in anamorphic widescreen. This presentation offers a problem-free color transfer.

THE AUDIO

Untraceable is presented English 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround and it is almost excellent, ergo very good. Additional tracks include 5.1 dubs in French and Portuguese, plus a Spanish stereo track. Optional subtitles are provided for all four languages.

THE EXTRAS

Audio Commentary: Director Gregory Hoblit joins with producer Hawk Koch and production designer Paul Eads for a track. It is a bit boring compared to some other tracks. Hoblit opens by discussing the money situation that resulted in the shoot taking place in Portland for too long. There is some nice information revealed, though, like about how the house used for Jennifer’s home was practically the first house they tried to get. We also learn that the torture method that kills one of the characters was originally ants and not sulfuric acid.

“Tracking Untraceable: The usual behind-the-scenes doc, but mostly full of interviews with the producers and writers, which is a bit of a change. None of the actors provide interviews, which is unusual. This is a decent extra, buffered by on-set footage. The amount of technical advising by the actual FBI and cyber experts is impressive, and there is a cute moment when screenwriter Allison Burnett comments on online dating.

“Untraceable Personnel Files: Each member of the cast is discussed in this doc. Finally, there are interviews from the cast here, praising each other, director Hoblit, and the actual FBI agents they got to meet while making the film. There are only the usual pats on the back here, but it feels genuine.

“The Blueprint of Murder: The look of the film takes the focus in this extra and it’s a good one. The interviews from everyone involved in that area- cinematographer, production designer, set dresser- are all interesting. The detail of the FBI office set is impressive and we learn that the second floor of the Marsh house was built as a set as well.

“The Anatomy of Murder: The viewer learns about the makeup and prosthetic effects that went into the creation of each torture and murder in the film. This is interesting, but thankfully brief, as the effects are only a little less gross than the finished product in the film. Each actor who played one of the victims was cast in silicone plaster for their “dead” body.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Untraceable delivers talented actors and solid direction in a less-than-stellar story. The violence may be too stomach-turning for some, but others will find enough thrills here. The good quality of the extra features on this disc are added incentive for some to buy this film. Everyone else will probably be fine just renting Untraceable.