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Thr3e Our rating: Rate this movie   MPAA rating: PG-13 (for violence, disturbing images, and terror) Genre: Thriller Theater release: January 05, 2007 by 20th Century Fox Directed by: Robby Henson Runtime: 1 hour 45 minutes Cast: Marc Blucas (Kevin Parson), Laura Jordan (Samantha), Justine Waddell (Jennifer Peters), Max Ryan (Milton), Priscilla Barnes (Belinda Parson), Tom Bower (Eugene Parson), Jeff Hollis (Bob Parson) Related: Talk About It/Family Corner

What exactly do a police psychologist and a seminary student share in common? Why, they're both haunted by their pasts and targeted by a serial killer with a penchant for explosives. At least that's the case in Thr3e, the best-selling novel from Christian author Ted Dekker and now a motion picture—the latest theatrical release from the Fox Faith division of 20th Century Fox.

We're first introduced to psychologist Jennifer Peters (Justine Wadell), whose own recent book has drawn the wrath of RK (short for the Riddle Killer). You know the type from other movies—a shadowy psycho who speaks via cell phone using an electronically scrambled voice, toying with victims through half-baked riddles and clues that can potentially spare them from a seemingly limitless supply of explosives. Unable to solve a riddle in time, Jennifer ends up losing her brother to one of the mad bomber's schemes in the opening scene.

Kevin (Marc Blucas) and Jennifer (Justine Waddell) are both apparent targets of the Riddle Killer

Three months later, we meet Kevin Parson (Marc Blucas from TV's Buffy the Vampire Slayer), a bright seminary student struggling to finish his thesis on time—and of course, the subject would have to be The Nature of Evil. After a cell phone call, a riddle, and a car bomb, it would seem that Kevin is the next target, with the mad bomber demanding a confession from him for some past sin.

But what secret haunts the good-natured student's past that would threaten his life, and how does it relate to RK's previous killings? That's up to Kevin to figure out with the assistance of Jennifer and the police, as well as Samantha (Laura Jordan), a childhood friend of Kevin's. Together they uncover the bomber's riddle-traps, each one gradually leading us to the surprising truth of RK's true identity.

The good news is that Thr3e is not as bad as last year's The Visitation, director Robby Henson's previous film credit. This movie generally shows improvement in visual style, going for the same creepiness that underlies David Fincher's Se7en, or at least your average direct-to-video release and made-for-cable thriller. Unlike most "Christian films," Thre3e has the appearance of a credible cinematic release.

Also, thanks to Dekker's sensibilities in the source material, there's little in the way of objectionable content. No bad language and no gratuitous sex—Kevin and Samantha are portrayed as chaste friends, and frankly, Kevin doesn't have time for romance in this movie. There are plenty of explosions and action intensity, plus someone does get shot in the leg, all worthy of a PG-13 rating. But it's still tamer than most action dramas on television.

Police work to remove a bomb from one of RK's intended victims (Kevin Downes)

Offensive and excessive content obviously aren't necessary to make a good movie, but a good script and good acting are—and they're noticeably lacking here.

Shortly into Thr3e, you half expect a likeably formulaic story about a sem student and a cop who track down a murderer, using the Bible to solve riddles, save the day, and learn some deep spiritual lessons in the process. That's only true in part, because once Samantha is introduced, the story focuses more on her and Kevin trying to save the day. Jennifer becomes more of a supporting character, which is surprising considering that she's established as more important early on.

But along the way, for no clear discernable reason, Kevin develops a strong mistrust for the police. This is but one of his many irrational decisions. Rather than play it safe by avoiding RK's riddles, Kevin plays directly into the bomber's hand by placing himself in peril every time, resulting in one last-second-leap-before-the-explosion after another.

My favorite is the scene where Samantha finds herself locked in a holding cell with a bomb about to go off outside the door. Kevin runs in armed with a pistol, and he could easily just shoot the lock to free her. But no, our hero instead tries to pursue the killer, who seems to be intentionally leading him into another trap. He drops the keys to the cell on the floor of a dark room before running off into the night. Kevin searches in vain for them and then runs back for a flashlight … only to use it to try and disarm the bomb on his own. (Maybe he minored in Bomb Disarmament at the seminary?)

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