WΔZ (W-delta-Z, AKA The Killing Gene)

Dir: Tom Shankland

2007

**

Tom Shankland's 2007 film WΔZ, or W-delta-Z, is basically a modern serial killer thriller with a nonsensical sudo-scientific idea attached for gimmick. From the beginning, I hated the film's direction. I hate wobbly cameras at the best of times but this took the style to another level. It's like the camera operator was wearing acme spring boots or was bouncing on a moving trampoline of something. A moving camera is supposed to give the film a raw and realistic feel but that is far from the case here, it actually makes it look like they are trying to distract the viewer from an uninteresting set and shoddy acting. I'm a big Stellan Skarsgard fan but his gruff talking, tough detective is a tired character, he does it justice but it's something we've all seen far too much already. No one else gives a performance worth mentioning, although it has to be said, the performance and the character who is revealed to be the killer is nothing short of dreadful on both counts. I still can't see Paul Kaye in a serious role either, I like him but then I think of all the good actors he has made fun of over the years as Dennis Pennis and wonder what he is doing there? I've heard many comments that WΔZ is an intelligent alternative to films such as Saw but I disagree. WΔZ wishes it had the same budget as Saw did. The torture scenes seem to be toned down purely because of the limited budget and not out of some kind of superior stance. People have also commented that the film was good, the title was not but I would argue that the title is the film. It is utterly unconvincing, from story, to performance, to conclusion. You cannot compare WΔZ to films such as the original Saw or Se7en, it is nowhere near being in the same league. Predictable, generic, formulaic and worst of all, forgettable.