Dr Eric Mason is a master of the mind; his classes focus on identifying which words have negative impacts on us and how to deprogramme them and free ourselves. He uses this same techniques to keep his two dogs very well trained. However Mason has also trained them to do a very specific trick to be alert when a phone rings and then to attack on the word "rosebud". Getting his friend Dr Hunter to his home, Mason rings him from his doctor's and asks him to remind him the name of the sledge in Citizen Kane. Whenever Hunter is torn to pieces, the police are called and the dogs put into custody to await destruction. However, a hanging phone, some straw and a hook all stop Columbo accepting it all at face value and he begins to poke around in the way only he can.
As with many TV film series (such as Perry Mason), if you like one or two of them then you'll pretty much like them all. This entry in the Columbo series pretty much follows the usual formula we know the killer and the "perfect" plan but then watch Columbo follow his hunch and gradually starts to pick holes in the story he is told before eventually finding enough to prove his suspicions. Saying this is not a spoiler it is simply what happens in all the films. With this strict adherence to formula it is usually down to several factors whether or not the Columbo film stands out or if it is just average. With this film we don't know the motive up front something that helps to add an air of mystery to the film and makes it that little bit more interesting. The murder is certainly different and this also helps with Columbo not yet even able to prove if the dogs were "weapons" as he suspects. The game is enjoyable as Mason is a good foil for Columbo, thinking he has the make of the man and thinking he can get around him.
The actual mystery could have been better mainly because there were at least two clues which were pretty obvious and you would expect Columbo to have picked up on them a lot sooner than he did, but these are a minor complaint and fans of the series will enjoy the enjoyable plot. The references to movies are a nice touch even if they are a bit obvious; of course Citizen Kane hangs large over the film but other little references are in there to genre as much to specific titles (although A Shot in the Dark is one). It doesn't add a great deal but the formula is always better with some stuff added around it.
The cast are pretty good. Falk is as good as ever; playing the game well, delivering some good comic moments and generally fitting into his character like it was a second skin. Williamson benefits from a strong written character and he is up to the task. Cattrall is good but I felt the film could have easily done without her character that said, she does well with what little she has. The lead pair dominate the film of course, and they do it well, but I was still alert enough to find a very young Ed Begley Jr eating a sandwich as a police officer.
Overall, with a strong plot, comic touches, interesting developments and a lead pair of actors with good performances and good chemistry this is a very good film. The formula is solid and also has other things in there to add value, making it one of the better of the series that fans will love and is strong enough to perhaps even win over the unconvinced.
As with many TV film series (such as Perry Mason), if you like one or two of them then you'll pretty much like them all. This entry in the Columbo series pretty much follows the usual formula we know the killer and the "perfect" plan but then watch Columbo follow his hunch and gradually starts to pick holes in the story he is told before eventually finding enough to prove his suspicions. Saying this is not a spoiler it is simply what happens in all the films. With this strict adherence to formula it is usually down to several factors whether or not the Columbo film stands out or if it is just average. With this film we don't know the motive up front something that helps to add an air of mystery to the film and makes it that little bit more interesting. The murder is certainly different and this also helps with Columbo not yet even able to prove if the dogs were "weapons" as he suspects. The game is enjoyable as Mason is a good foil for Columbo, thinking he has the make of the man and thinking he can get around him.
The actual mystery could have been better mainly because there were at least two clues which were pretty obvious and you would expect Columbo to have picked up on them a lot sooner than he did, but these are a minor complaint and fans of the series will enjoy the enjoyable plot. The references to movies are a nice touch even if they are a bit obvious; of course Citizen Kane hangs large over the film but other little references are in there to genre as much to specific titles (although A Shot in the Dark is one). It doesn't add a great deal but the formula is always better with some stuff added around it.
The cast are pretty good. Falk is as good as ever; playing the game well, delivering some good comic moments and generally fitting into his character like it was a second skin. Williamson benefits from a strong written character and he is up to the task. Cattrall is good but I felt the film could have easily done without her character that said, she does well with what little she has. The lead pair dominate the film of course, and they do it well, but I was still alert enough to find a very young Ed Begley Jr eating a sandwich as a police officer.
Overall, with a strong plot, comic touches, interesting developments and a lead pair of actors with good performances and good chemistry this is a very good film. The formula is solid and also has other things in there to add value, making it one of the better of the series that fans will love and is strong enough to perhaps even win over the unconvinced.