Director: Albert Hughes, Allen Hughes

Writer: Terry Hayes, Rafael Yglesias (Screenplay) Alan Moore, Eddie Campbell (Graphic Novel)

Starring: Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Ian Holm, Robbie Coltrane, Ian Richardson, Jason Flemyng, Katrin Cartlidge

 

Story: Inspector Frederick Abberline (Depp) is a brilliant Inspector but has his flaws, he likes to indulge in opium which gives him vision of crimes. After a prostitute is murder he will faces his toughest test to date. After the second prostitute is murdered he knows he will be hunting a serial killer not just any serial killer, Jack The Ripper. Mary Kelly (Graham) one of a close friends group of prostitute reluctantly helps Abberline track down The Ripper. The question remains who is The Ripper and why is he killing the prostitutes?

 

Verdict: Graphic novel adaptions are always hard to re-create. This creates a modern look at a vintage crime.

Story: The story is full of the conspiracy of the real Jack The Ripper, as the crime was never solved many people have come up with their own conclusion, this offers one of those opinions. It tries to follow everything around the time to the highest level of authenticity but clutches at straw when it comes to the real people who were murdered and tried to solve the crime. In the end the story never really decides if it wants to be based of truth or all made up which takes something away. (7/10)

 

Actor Review: Johnny Depp – As an Inspector of the time he shows a level of intelligence way above the other police officers involved in the story. Depp struggles with his generic cockney accent but he does deliver an engaging performance. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Heather Graham – The smartest of the prostitutes, not saying much though soon becomes the damsel in distress. Graham accent makes Depp look world class, clearly miss cast for the locational role but does deliver in the damsel in distress aspect. Poor Performance Award (6/10)

Actor Review: Ian Holm – An aging surgeon, who now teaches, helps Abberline figure out who the suspects could be, before becoming a suspect himself. Holm fits in as the wise older figure that teaches as well as potential having a darker side. Star Performance Award (9/10)

Actor Review: Robbie Coltrane – Abberline’s sidekick Inspector who keeps him grounded as well as covers for some of his unprofessional actions. Being English makes the role easier for Coltrane to play and he is very nonsense and unsympathetic to the girl’s situation. Favourite Character Award (9/10)

 

Director Review: Hughes Brothers – working with a true main leading man for the first time they cope well, but you feel they may have chosen alternative actors and actresses for the English roles instead of just going with a big name. The film itself works well once you look past that point. (8/10)

 

Horror: Some horrific deaths but never shown in full just the aftermath. (8/10)

Thriller: Strong thriller adds mystery to the legendary killer. (9/10)

Settings: Set in Whitechapel and looking very authentic full of darkness which helps with the horror side of the story. (9/10)

Suggestion: Mystery fans will enjoy, all Depp fans will enjoy as they will watch anything he is in. It also has appeal to those who are interested in the The Ripper legacy, to both see how farfetched one theory is or to see what could have been the true story of him. As a mystery fan I will suggest this to you all. (Watch)

 

Best Part:  Sergeant Peter Godley (Coltrane) creates one hell of a distraction.

Worst Part: The accents.

Favourite Quote: Peter Godley ‘From Hell, Well at least they got the address right.’

Trivia: Daniel Day Lewis was first choice for the lead.

Overall: Slicker mystery with conspiracy of truth

Rating 80%