‘Shutter Island’ offers mind-melting thrills

Director Martin Scorsese presents yet another fantastic film after winning Best Picture and Best Director academy awards for 2006’s “The Departed.”

“Shutter Island,” based on a novel of the same name, will undoubtedly take your brain on a psychological roller coaster ride.

Set in 1954, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his new partner, Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), travel to the remote Shutter Island to investigate the disappearance of a patient who has escaped from a maximum security prison/hospital for the criminally insane.

Upon their arrival, Daniels and Aule find the prison staff are uncooperative and seem to be hiding something. The pair attempt to unravel the mystery surrounding Shutter Island and quickly discover that things are not as they seem.

If there is one thing this film does a great job of, it’s messing with the mind. “Shutter Island” offers a very solid plot that has more twists than the number of times Brett Favre has come out of retirement.

You will be entertained and psychologically exhausted by the end of the film. Right when you think you’ve got everything figured out, another twist is thrown your way. You’ll be absorbed right until the credits start rolling.

DiCaprio’s character is very dynamic in the film. Needless to say, he’s come a long way since his boyish days of “Titanic.” He does a fantastic job of conveying emotion and personality in his character, and puts on a fantastic performance.

“Shutter Island” has a few scenes that might make you jump, and the “dream” sequences DiCaprio’s character experiences are a bit creepy and disturbing.

The thriller elements in the film are supplemented by a bold soundtrack that heightens suspense though, at some points, the music is a bit overwhelming. But this is a very minor complaint.

Around the midpoint of the plot, things start to slow down a bit. Clues appear less often as the mystery slowly reveals itself. It’s very likely that you’ll start to piece things together by the end of the film, and the conclusion isn’t the type of ending that comes out of nowhere.

Though it’s not quite perfect, you will be very satisfied by the “Shutter Island” experience. The resolution of the film is awesome, but the journey the movie presents to its audience is even more pleasing than its destination.

Scorsese and DiCaprio have teamed up to make some great films in the past few years, including “Gangs of New York,” “The Aviator” and “The Departed.” “Shutter Island” is no exception to the list, and Scorsese fans will be counting down the days until they can buy this film on DVD.

Do yourself a favor and go watch it.

Four stars out of five.