Premise - Five crooks are brought in to a police line up by the NYPD. Whilst together the crooks devise a plan to pull a job together. Little do they know that their fates are being manipulated by a myth-like master criminal. The Usual Suspects is one of a handful of films from the mid 90's that can truly call itself a modern classic. It's a near perfect marriage of direction, script, editing, music and not least an absolutely stunning ensemble cast. The film takes one of the most intriguing maguffins in movies, the unreliable narrator and weaves around it a tangled web of plot and red herrings. The film drags you down a safe, familiar path. It lays everything out for the viewer so that they are sure that all the events that they have just witnessed are fact. Then BANG, the film lays on the big whammy and leaves the viewer dazed, gawking at the screen. Clamouring to see the film again, so they can see if there were any clues littered throughout the rest of the film that point to this shocking revelation. But is The Usual Suspects just an empty film with only a devilish twist in the tail? Not a chance. Bryan Singers second film (Did anyone actually see Public Access?) is a masterclass in film-making. His direction is incredibly assured for someone making their first big film (Little wonder that he was given the task of transferring the worlds most popular comic book to the big screen) and he brands the film with a unique visual style that borders on Film Noir. A large factor in the films unique and stylish look is the editing by John Ottman. Sharp quick cuts, fades, sweeps, match shots. All of these effects serve to further the involving story that we are being told. Perhaps the most impressive use of these effects is in the final few minutes as we have a montage scene. It's a dizzying scene, that reflects how the revelation effects the viewer. Critical also to this pivotal scene is the use of sound. Again by John Ottman, the music in 'The Usual Suspects' is superb. Blending contemporary and classical style to great effect Ottman's score perfectly suits the mood of whatever scene it is accompanying. Ottman has gone on from this film to become more known for his scoring as oppose to his editing. With the quality in 'The Usual Suspects' who can complain. Christopher McQuarrie's (Who would go on to make the mediocre 'Way Of The Gun') brilliant script is sharp, intricate and full of wonderful, quotable lines. Lines such as, 'The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist' are burned into movie history. The script also tickles the funny bone from time to time. Sly, sarcasm is mostly the order of the day and the bickering between the crooks can be very entertaining (Is it Friday already?). Most of the memorable lines are of course uttered by Kevin Spacey in his stunning 'Best Supporting Actor' Oscar winning performance. Although why it wasn't 'Best Actor' is a mind boggler, surely he has the lion share of screen time? Spacey's work is exemplary, he is utterly convincing as Verbal Kint, you could actually believe that he is crippled, he's that good. The rest of the cast are no slouches either. Stephen Baldwin has not done anything since (or before) to touch his work here. Kevin Pollack shows that he can do more than comedy with a fine performance. Gabriel Byrne, whom is a fine actor, has rarely been better than when he was Dean Keaton. This film came at a time of his life when he was going through emotional turmoil. It certainly helped his performance, it's all up there on the screen. How can you forget Benicio Del Toro as Fenster? His nonsensical, near incomprehensible ramblings are the source of many of the films laughs. Who would have thought that six years down the line he would be winning an Oscar? I really cannot praise The Usual Suspects enough. When you add to this wonderful movie the kind of DVD package that they've put together you have a must buy. Two commentaries, gag reel, deleted scenes and outakes, interviews, a Cannes feature and many other behind the scenes features. This two disc set is indeed why DVD exists. A near faultless film and a stunning DVD package. Very highly recommended.

9/10 for The Usual Suspects. Poster Quote - Not your usual movie.