Post by Theenormityofitall on Oct 21, 2005 15:32:26 GMT -5
It plays like a greatest hits album. All the classic deaths and motifs are there; the black-gloved killers, kitchen knifes glinting in the moonlight, vivid close-ups, convoluted plots, gratuitous EXTREME violence against beautiful women and a pounding soundtrack by Claudio Simonetti and Goblin. Even the murders are retreads; the films opening double murder desperately mimics Suspiria and almost every murder has been seen before in one of his movies. Then again, do you watch an Argento film for something original? No you watch his films for exactly what’s in Sleepless and he delivers with style and panache.
The plot involving the Dwarf killer is a mere excuse to join the dots between the ULTRA gory set pieces. Argento’s whodunits have always been more about the crime than catching the criminal. The shocking revelation of the killer’s identity left this viewer going “So What” rather than leaping out if his seat.
Argento’s long time Special Visual Effects man, Sergio Stivaletti displays an evil ingenuity in the films murderous scenes, especially the gruesome death by clarinet. The Goblin soundtrack is fabulous, not quite matching their former glories but it sets the scenes of the film perfectly.
The best Argento film in years and for that we should be thankful. In returning to the Giallo genre he may have taken a step backwards but with Sleepless he has made a giant leap forward in quality. This is a giallo/slasher film with tons of gore and a great story line. And it's Argento! Just knowing he made it should be enough to buy it. It's one of my favorite Argento flicks.