Samuel L. Jackson has been dozens of movies and proven himself as an entertainment icon. He has played both heroes and villains with charismatic gusto and rampant enthusiasm, ranging from a fierce Jedi with a purple lightsaber to a badass assassin that quotes Ezekiel 25:17 before the kill. If there is a good reason to see the new release Lakeview Terrace,"" it would be to see Jackson deliver another spectacular performance.
In ""Lakeview Terrace,"" Jackson portrays the primary antagonist Abel Turner with a truly gleeful menace. With an elaborate back-story and many heartbreaking moments alotted to this vicious manipulator, it's evident the audience is supposed to sympathize with him. Unfortunately, Turner's descent into madness becomes so psychotic that such sympathy is quickly lost.
When interracial couple Chris (Patrick Wilson) and Lisa Mattson (Kerry Washington) move to an idyllic suburban neighborhood, they hope for peace, quiet and a fresh start to build a family. What they don't expect to find is their racist, sarcastic, ruthless, grammatically correct, but politically incorrect next-door neighbor is Turner - who also happens to be a cop. With the law on his side and a sadistic grudge in his heart, Turner sets about antagonizing the Mattsons with increasingly violent tactics. Having nowhere to turn and an understandable stubbornness, Chris and Lisa fight back with mind games and diversionary methods. Little do they know they've unleashed a monster inside the unstable police officer.
It is difficult to for audiences to take sides with characters. Chris Mattson is developed into a whiny, semi-coldhearted and self-centered prick audiences grow to dislike, and by offering us the full spectrum of disgruntled police officer Abel Turner's life - complete with two children and the stresses of his day job - audiences feel obligated to empathize with this antagonist. Too bad he's a complete psycho and his ability to think rationally rapidly disappears.
""Lakeview Terrace"" includes so many unnecessary subplots - racism on the job, in the neighborhood and in families; the battle of male egos; the problems married couples face and police officers' immunity to the laws they enforce - the audience practically begs for the drawn-out conclusion. The writers repeatedly pound themes into the viewer's mind causing more frustration than character development. Plus, many of the subplots are left unresolved and the abrupt climatic ending lingers through the rolling credits.
""Lakeview Terrace"" does provide thrilling moments, good acting and a villain who loves his merciless taunts, but contemplate the real value of the lessons learned and it might negate the fun you've had.
With a slow beginning and a predictable ending, ""Lakeview Terrace"" is worth while. However, it would probably be better to see this movie during the matinee hours. The extra $3 may not be worth it.
Grade: B
