I have to say my first reaction as I came out of the theater was dissapointment but the more I think about this movie the more I like it. I went into the film already having an idea about what the big twist was going to be, because of this I was looking for it instead of just enjoying the movie. However, now as I review the movie in my head I enjoy it more and more.

So now I guess I should tell you what the film was about. "Shutter Island" takes place in 1954 and is the story of an escaped mental patient from an institute for the criminally insane. This escape is investigated by two U.S. Marshals, Teddy Daniels(Leonardo DiCaprio) and his partner Chuck Aule(Mark Ruffalo). Teddy has been a U.S. Marshal since he came back from the war, where he helped liberate a concentration camp. He is very troubled by the things that he did and saw in the war. He is also haunted by the memory of his wife who was recently killed in a fire in their apartment. When the two men get to the island they find that there are things going on that aren't quite right. Everyone there seems to know about something but are too afraid to tell it. The men in charge also seem unwilling to help the Marshals. The main doctor in charge, Dr. Cawley(Ben Kingsley), is the most helpful but even he won't submit fully to the investigation. As Teddy and Chuck dig deeper and deeper things get stranger and stranger until finally the truth is reviled.(The island is magical and can make you time travel and has clouds of black smoke that kill people. No wait that's another island. Just kidding that's a "Lost" reference in case you didn't get that.)

Anyway, because I was looking for this big twist at the end I wasn't as surprised but really it's not a very far-fetched twist. The film also, somewhat, eases you into this twist so when it hits your like oh ok that makes sense. Unfortunately I can not elaborate any more for fear of spoiling the film. This movie is one where you will walk out thinking about it and asking questions. I saw it yesterday and I think that I am now to the point where I almost understand the full effect of the story, with all it's different twists. This may be because I'm a little slow or maybe just cause I tend to over analyze films like this. Either way you will think about this one even after you have left the theater.

Now, it may just be because I'm a huge pansy when it comes to movies like this, but I was on the edge of my seat and looking through my hand for a good bit of this movie. Martin Scorsese(one of my favorite directors) does a great job of making you feel on edge, creeped out and guessing what's next all at the same time. DiCaprio also does a great job of playing the troubled Marshal who is frantically trying to find the truth and keeps you captivated with his intense conversations and internal struggles. You really feel for his character by the end of the film. I have to say, though, that Ben Kingsley makes the best performance of the film. He does such a good job of playing the main doctor and by the end of it you feel for him as much as you do for DiCaprio. This movie also provides some humor which helps to break up the tension and kept me from being completely freaked out.

One aspect that I enjoyed very much was the music. Since Scorsese directed "The Last Waltz", which is the final concert of The Band, he and Robbie Robertson(Singer,songwriter and guitarist for The Band) have worked on many films together including "Raging Bull." In this film Robertson does a great job of helping to create that eire mood which greatly adds to this film. I feel that the music makes this film as good as it is.

I really enjoyed this film and I recommend that you see it. Now you may find that you're not quite as surprised as you wanted to be, I know I wasn't, but it is still a good film that will leave you thinking. It will entertain you and get your heart racing. The performances were great all around, from directing to acting to the music. The only thing lacking is the story, because of its somewhat stereotypical ending, you'll know what I mean when you see it. I give it a solid B and I might just have to go see it again.