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Molly Keller (A.J. Cook) is enrolled in a class studying the psychology of serial killers under
Professor Marshall Kane (Bruce Payne), the author of "Ripper: The Mind of a Serial Killer". Just when the students have been formed into groups to work on the profile of a
serial killer, the vicious killings begin in the campus. Here is a case presenting itself for the students' study. When the members of Molly's group become the targets of the
killer, everyone begins to try to work on the case, especially Molly who has been detached and seems to be keeping something from the others, which could be relevant to their
situation. But suspicion and distrust break up the teamwork. Is the suspicion that the present killer is the exact profile of the original Jack the Ripper, true or not? Would
they be able to get to the truth, catch the criminal and complete the assigned project?
The intention of the film is to entertain by presenting some clues for intelligently guessing who
the criminal is. However, the elements of suspense — shadows, darkness, screams, torrential rains, etc. — tend to blur dialogue and visual clues and frustrate the viewer. The
various accents of the international cast add to the distraction. However the lead stars contribute notable acting: A.J. Cook who plays Molly, Bruce Payne as the professor,
and Jurgen Prochnow as the investigator Detective Kelso. The Ripper
does not make it easy in pinpointing who the serial killer is. Among others, Molly and her teammates, the professor and the detective are also included among the suspects.
One of the staples of crime/murder stories is the depiction of violence. What is shown here
includes the viciousness and gruesomeness of the bloody killings. Teamwork is called for, and yet the team members pull away from each other in suspicion and distrust. It is
apparent that each is keeping some information that ought to be, but is not revealed to the others. In the end, it becomes each one for himself. Thus, more than necessary
mayhem breaks lose. In its roundabout way, this ripper movie is showing viewers that in a situation such as this, some trust and a certain degree of openness with each other
is necessary for teamwork to succeed. It is a calculated risk that a team must decide to take.
Only a mature audience would be able to determine whatever value could be found in this violent
massacre movie.
(Date reviewed: April 19, 2002)
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