A young and unisex group of 7 F.B.I agents (Vince, Rafe, Lucas, J.D, Bobby , Sara and Nicole) in training to be become Profilers, are in a demanding training program run by ex-field operative Harris (Val Kilmer). Harris’ training challenges are realistic and dark and none of the students like him much. Their feelings for him don’t improve when the final test involves these trainees to spend time in an isolated island, without weapons, trying to solve a simulated case of a serial killer, nicknamed the Puppeteer. The team is led by J.D. (Christian Slater) . This time their team has one outsider, Gabe( LL Cool J), a man whose exact mission and credentials are not that clear. They just know that he is there to observe them.
They wake up the next day to face the challenges Harris prepared for them. The ones who fail this final test will not make it as Profilers. However early in the morning, the “simulation” turns into reality when one of them gets murdered. After that point, they will get warnings of time that will let them know when the next victim is due. Who the hell is the killer? Someone else on the island? Or one of them? Or has Harris gone mad?
Mindhunters is a very entertaining thriller about profilers-to-be, being hunted down by one serial killer on an isolated island. The fact that their instructor put them there, that they don’t really have contact with the outside world and the concept of one serial killer vs. FBI trainees as victims sets some original standards. Sure, it is a slasher (not a very gory one, though) to a degree, but it does have some refereshing elements. And it has a pretty good cast with Christian Slater, Val Kilmer, Jonny Lee Miller, LL Cool J, Patricia Velasquez, Clifton Collins Jr., Kathryn Morris (crime TV series Cold Case’s leading actress), Will Kemp and Eion Bailey.
This movie may not be many things: It is not exactly logical, rational or maybe even possible. But the good thing, it is also very entertaining and interesting. The ending is not very satisfactory but still it is not bad enough to spoil the overall fun. It is not a horror film but a decent thriller. But it does have some unpleasant killing scenes so if you don’t have the heart for some minor blood shed and murder scenes, you might want to stay away.
And a note for Val Kilmer and Christian Slater fans: I’ve good news and bad news. Bad news is, they don’t have that many scenes. The other actors share the leading parts. Good news, it doesn’t matter that much becasue the movie is fun enough without them too. Still, wouldn’t hurt to see them more.
Written by Wayne Kramer and Kevin Brodbin, directed by Renny Harlin (Deep Blue Sea, Cliffhanger, Die Hard 2). 6.2 on IMDB. It’s not remarkable but definitely fun. From 2004.
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