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Its somewhat odd that this film is little seen and little commented on, because its pretty great and demonstrates amply that there is still life left in Italian genre films yet. I suspect that if Dario Argento or one of the other big names of giallo and general Italian thriller cinema were behind this then it would get noticed more, but since its director, Eros Puglielli is relatively new people haven't really taken note. They should though, for this is a pretty fine film, even if it doesn't quite hit the heights that it could. Some have labelled this as a giallo but I would say its closer to the Hollywood serial killer thriller genre, with its focus on a troubled cop tracking down a killer and relative absence of the sleazier or jauntier elements that made giallo cinema such fun. It still has a definite stylish giallo type feel at times though and is much more fun than the average trawl through killer hunting territory. Eyes Of Crystal boasts a belting opening, two scenes that constitute one of the most arresting opening gambits of any film that I have seen for a long time, and for the next half hour or so keeps up the tension and the creeps. After this things slow down a little and the film takes on a more chugging, measured pace before a pleasing ending that, depending on your take is either great fun or somewhat silly. The acting is overall decent, and fortunately the film is subtitled so it is easier to appreciate the acting and there aren't bad dubbing chuckles. Luigi Lo Cascio is decent as the troubled hero Inspector Amaldi whilst Lucia Jimenez does well as his love interest. The film could definitely have been a little more complex, it has intrigue enough but more twists and turns would have been very welcome. Also, as one might expect, there are little flaws in the characterisation and parts of the plotting that could have been explored or explained better, but nothing too serious. The only other issue I had was that more of the red stuff would have been very welcome. There are a few effectively grisly moments but also points where I did feel that the film could have gone further. Its still gruesome enough though and the top flight effects make up for there not being all that much gore. All in all I found this to be a thoroughly agreeable slice of Italian thrills and chills and I would say its well worth a look for fans of such things.
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