| The Crimson Code (2000) Cast:C. Thomas Howell, Patrick Muldoon, Cathy Moriarty,Tim Thomerson,Fred Ward C.Thomas Howell maybe second billed but he easily steals the show which showcases him as a serial killer who ends up teaming up with the cop hunting him, to take on a team of mercenaries who make it a point to wipe out serial killers in this surprisingly enjoyable serial killer flick with a refreshing twist. Howell is so convincing that at times the viewer often roots for his character. Obviously not the intention for a movie of this caliber, but hey let's not undermine a good performance from a genre vet who indeed overshadows a cast that seems to be in auto-pilot through out. Muldoon is a pretty bad actor, always talking as if he was reading off an order from McDonalds bogs down a serviceable movie with a great villian, once again though Howell excells at Anti-Hero parts, and this one performance is indeed impressive. Also there are some slick actionscenes as well as some suspenseful chase scenes, not to mention a few good twists which give The Crimson Code a few jolts now and then. But the one who really deserves the credit is C. Thomas Howell who makes a cardboard cut-out villian into the most interesting and memorable villian in quite some time, it's for that reason as well as a few good actionscenes that I recommend The Crimson Code. Without Howell it would've been a standard thriller, however with him he turns it into something that's well worth seeing. D.Jeremy Haft *** |