Anyone out there remember the thrillers “Kiss the Girls” and “Along Came a Spider”? In those mostly forgotten films, Morgan Freeman essayed the role of Alex Cross, FBI agent. The new “Alex Cross” movie serves as a reboot of sorts, with a younger and supposedly “edgier” version of the character hunting down crooks. It may have seemed like a good idea on paper, but the end result plays out in an even blander and more unremarkable manner than the original two efforts.
The plot follows Washington, DC, detective Alex Cross (Tyler Perry) and his partners (Edward Burns and Rachel Nichols) as they investigate the crimes of a sadistic psychopath/amateur charcoal sketch artist (Matthew Fox). Unfortunately, it isn’t long before they soon find themselves in danger as well. After Cross foils an assassination attempt, the angry villain not only illustrates in frustration, but sets his sights on the detective’s family.
One does feel badly for the two leads. Perry is decent as Cross and one admires Fox’s commitment to physically alter himself into a skeletal killer. It’s the generic tone, predictable nature of the story and bizarre character flourishes that completely minimize any tension. Dramatic moments are interspersed with an over-the-top, bossy mom (Cicely Tyson), and a bug-eyed foe intensely drawing pictures. It can’t help but come across as unintentionally humorous at several points. In fact, as a viewer, I was desperately hoping that a chase might lead the psycho killer into a Toys ‘R Us and let his creative juices flow with an Etch A Sketch. Despite the best efforts of the actors, these problems are far too much to overcome.
The most telling evidence came at the preview screening. During the film’s opening chase scene, there was a sound problem that rendered the film completely silent. Audience members stomped their feet (adding their own running sound effects) and filled in the dialogue by shouting out “Freeze!” and other clichéd expressions from cop movies. The problem was eventually corrected and film restarted. Amusingly, the improvised lines were fairly accurate to the written dialogue.
Unless the audio is shut off and crowds are allowed to fill in the blanks themselves with more amusing comments, most will find “Alex Cross” an often predictable, occasionally ridiculous, ultimately less-than-thrilling thriller.