Touches You

Simply A Masterpiece

Pretty Good

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

This Australian serial killer drama is based around a compelling premise and has some nice touches.The main idea is that of a detective who is in pursuit of a serial killer called The Grand Master. The Grand Master is a remorseless sadist who abducts homeless people and attaches their identity to chess pieces in an online chess game that he forces the authorities to play. Whenever a piece is taken the Grand Master kills the person associated with that piece. The cast is mostly excellent.Richard Carwin as the detective obsessed with catching the killer has a pleasing intensity and his conversations with his dead daughter- who he can still see and hear- are a distinctive touch which give the audience an insight into the conscience hidden behind the anti-hero's tough exterior. The daughter who is played by the gorgeous Ashleigh Lian O Brien is a unique and memorable facet to the film.The other daughter, played by Chelsea Giles, is targetted by the Grand Master. This seems like a cliché, and in some ways it is, but the script and Chelsea's performance are refreshingly well thought out.The daughter Lisa is too young and petite to be a physical opponent to the Grand Master but she is a match for him in courage and psychological strength. Again, this makes a refreshing change from the almost ubiquitous kick ass martial arts heroine in modern thrillers.The film is quirky and different enough to lift it above the run of the mill entries in the serial killer genre and I have to say I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.The mid section drags a little and a couple of the minor characters performances are slightly weak but Final Move is a movie that overcomes its low budget and is solid entertainment.