Martin Scorsese has followed up his crime masterpiece The Departed with a sad disappointment. Shutter Island is a cheesy horror film that is not scary or inventive. Just dull. The acting is also pretty bad. Even Leonardo DiCaprio, who I usually love, was an extremely dull boring Detective. The unrealness of the whole thing becomes almost laughable. It's pure overblown silly supernatural hokum and probably the first real disappointing film I've seen from a genius like Scorsese. Perhaps it's because Scorsese is unfamiliar with the horror genre. I could help thinking how boring and immensely daft the whole experience. Makes my list of both worst films and unscariest horror movies.

Shutter Island shows Martin Scorsese at the height of his powers - the direction is impeccable and the creation of atmosphere and suspense truly breath-taking. Visually this film is near perfect. I won't give the intricate plot twist away but I do have to say, however, that ultimately I found the story and its conclusion less satisfying than the direction and how the film looked; perhaps this was the whole point, that delusions and fantasies are much more attractive and appealing than reality, but I left the cinema feeling a little disappointed with how things ended. I would still give the movie 5 stars in spite of this: you cannot see this movie and not be moved / disturbed / intrigued / confused / disorientated, perhaps even infuriated - it is a roller-coaster ride of the senses and the emotions. There are also some images that will linger in your mind for days, rather like a vivid dream or a nightmare. Definitely a must-see.

Shutter Island is a clunky melodrama with prime 'am-dram' performances from all concerned, except DiCaprio whose attempts to overcome his lack of screen charisma result in prime 'ham-dram'. He is totally unsuited to the role, looking like an old baby and lacking the gravitas of a James Stewart or even a pre-Shining Jack Nicholson. Quite whose fault this all is is hard to say but I suppose blame must be laid at the feet of Scorsese. The whole thing needed a far lighter touch - perhaps a Robert Altman type. I didn't get involved with, and couldn't have cared what happened to, anyone and the 138min running time really tested my endurance. There were too many 'meaningful' dialogue exchanges about 'big' psychological subjects that really did go on! Where was the old maxim, "Show, don't tell."? The score was also ludicrous, sounding as it had been recorded at Tilbury docks and telling you what to think all the time. That said, the production design and the storm were good. Nuff said!