REEL CRITIC -- DeAndra Rich

Bound and gagged, trapped in a basement. All you can make of your

kidnappers is that they barely look old enough to drive. Everyone loves

a good homicide -- how did they do it, what is the motive?

The classic murder mystery has taken a twisted turn in the past few

years. For some reason moviegoers would rather be baffled by the why and

how of Jack the Ripper instead of the who in Nancy Drew. If you love the

morbid and do not mind waiting awhile for an outcome, I recommend the

psychological suspense thriller “Murder By Numbers.”

Teenage geniuses Richard and Justin (Michael Pitt and Ryan Gosling)

are pitted against determined homicide detectiveCassie (Sandra Bullock)

and her savvy new partner, Sam (Ben Chaplin). Unfortunately, within the

first 20 minutes, I knew this was going to be one long battle of wits.

The story line is basic -- good cop made out to be bad cop overcomes

all obstacles, including your classic “being taken off the case,” to

solve the mystery and put her life back together in the process. Cassie

is traveling the journey, but the lack of character development by

Bullock leaves you unable to identify with her, allowing the younger,

scarier stars to shine.

As the story slowly unfolds it is saved many times by our young guns,

who easily outshine our seasoned veterans. Gosling plays the perfect

natural born psycho, while Pitt follows malevolently behind.

These brilliant young men made my trip to the theater worth it, along

with the nice twist at the end reminiscent of “Primal Fear.” I hesitate

to give too much away, but I say if you believe slow and steady wins the

race -- knock yourself out. However if you are looking for speed, wait to

see “Murder By Numbers” by the fireplace.

“Murder by Numbers” is rated R for violence, language, a sex scene and

brief drug use.

* DEANDRA RICH is a novice screenplay writer in Costa Mesa who hopes

to one day turn “Ebert & Roeper” into “Ebert & Rich.”