Movie Review: The Number 23

United States
February 21, 2007 8:58pm CST
I just got back from a screening of Jim Carey's new movie, "The Number 23". I was really excited about this movie; the obcession with the number 23 that people have had for years, being explored in a mainstream movie was going to be great!I was wrong. The acting was mediocore and the plot,while infused with 23's everywhere, did not really delve into the enigma which is the number 23, and it was esentually a murder mystery. I did not sign up for a murder mystery. I do not like murder mysteries. Especially ones with a predictable ending. Predictable to me at any rate. While the cinematography was good, the plot and the execution was crap. I was truely disappointed in this flick. It's worth the price of the ticket if you are a hardcore Jim Carey fan, but if you are expecting the level of performance from him that he gave in "The Magestic"... or even in "The Mask", you will be disappointed. On my personal Movie rating scale... I give "The Number 23" 3.5 stars
7 people like this
10 responses
• United States
22 Feb 07
DARN! It had some great commercials! I wanted to go see it this weekend! Thanks for the heads up! So it ended up being a murder mystery? I thought it was going to be about something totally different! Oh, well! I'll have to watch something else! :)
• United States
23 Feb 07
I know! The commercials were great, but they do not give any hint of what this movie is really about.
3 people like this
@lonewolfnan (4366)
• Canada
22 Feb 07
Thank you for sharing your views on the this movie.I was curious as to whether the movie would be able to hold the interest of the viewers.The premise seemed rather normal(if you look hard enough,you will be able to make comparisons between almost any two subjects)so I was hoping that Carrey could try to use this as a break-out movie so we could accept in as an all-around actor.It is a shame the movie was predictable for you and I think I will wait for it to come out on the Movie channel.
• United States
23 Feb 07
Hi Lonewolf:) You're welcome. I have to admit that the movie didn't really hold my interest, there were a few moments where it almost made a connection with the audience..but they were quick and unsustained. The writers just didn't, I don't know...drink enough coffee while writing this one? ha.. I was also hoping to see more of the Carey that was in "Magestic" and "Eternal sunshine". But, I feel he gave more of a "Cable guy" performance. Very disappointing.
3 people like this
• United States
19 Mar 07
The Majestic was AMAZING! His best work in my opinion:)
@all4ucnc (861)
• United States
11 Mar 07
I know everyone gives the "Cable Guy" a bad rep, and the movie it self wasn't the best I admit, but I still thought Jim Carrey did a great job, and I feel that way about The Truman Show as well, the movie could have been a lot better, but Carrey's performance was still great..Of Coarse I'm a hard core Carrey fan, and I don't think he could ever do me wrong, especially seeing his performance in the Majestic and The man on the moon, ...
1 person likes this
• United States
24 Feb 07
I'm so disappointed! I thought for sure this movie would be great. Thanks for the review; I think I'll wait for the DVD now.
• United States
25 Feb 07
Plum, You ALWAYS wait for the DVD, you're the cheapest person on earth! Hell, you only watch the DVD if you've filched it from me! sheesh
@all4ucnc (861)
• United States
11 Mar 07
I have seen a few movies with Jim Carey that I didn't particulary care for the plot, But I have yet to see a movie that I haven't liked him as an actor, I have ALL of his movies, (even When Peggy Sue got Married, Once Bitten, and some others from his early early years)..I LOVE him, and will surely buy this movie too, just to have it for my collection.
• United States
19 Mar 07
oh my..I remember Once Bitten! ha.. Carey sure has come a long way since that flix was made! If you are a die hard Carey fan, the number 23 is definetly one for the collection; even if its just dust collection, or used as a coaster. lol Thanks for the comment and the read:)
@cafay1 (256)
• United States
24 Feb 07
thank you for the review of 23. I was planning on going too. Now, like the others I will wait for it to come out on dvd or something. It is disappointing to hear Jim Carey gave that kind of performance. He was one you used to be able to feel it was a good bet you would be intertained watching.
• United States
25 Feb 07
I agree that it's disappointing that Carey gave such a low slung performance. I tried to attribute it to "the character", but that just wasn't working. His performance was simply bad. The role did not fit him in the least. I think it would have worked much better if they had focused on his relationship with his son in the movie, rather than the "sin city" like flashbacks to a past that was real or not real, depending on your level of perceptiveness. I must face the fact, The Number 23 is a crappy movie. I should have given it 2 stars and those for camera work alone.
• United States
5 Mar 07
Thanks for the review. I wasn't sure if I wanted to see this one or not.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Mar 07
Your welcome! Anytime:)
@ArsonCuff (3114)
• United States
26 Feb 07
My review: THE NUMBER 23 has received a large number of critically negative reviews…this is another one. THE NUMBER 23 is about a man who becomes obsessed with a book which seems to be written mysteriously about his own life and yet ending with more murder than he is prepared to face…with sanity. The film is directed by Joel Schumacher and (in case you have been living under a rock) stars Jim Carey in the lead role. The premise for this film is an interesting one in my opinion, yet the difficulty in actually writing out such a thing is apparent. The plot of the film is filled with holes and each one probably has a different department in production to blame. Then the concept twists to a place where many films have already gone before and ends poorly. The team just didn’t pull it off. Sections of the story are told as clips being read from the book Jim’s character has come upon. These moments of the film have a pulp detective novel sort of vibe to them that are exceptionally cool. If the film had been made entirely in this style and followed the story within the story as opposed to what becomes a predictable psychology experiment…then THAT would have been an entertaining movie; even if it went the same vibe routes of SIN CITY. The book: THE NUMBER 23 within the film sounds interesting and if such a thing is made to go along with the movie then I would love to own a copy; as long as it had chapter 23 kept intact. Jim Carey is no stranger to taking on dramatic roles, however this is his first categorized “thriller” (since becoming famous and bankable that is) . Jim didn’t really fit into the role 100%. He is pure Hollywood magic up on any movie screen, true star, but his presence is not enough to go see this movie. Closer to the end, some of his dramatics come off a bit silly. The supporting cast is forgettable. I wanted to go to sleep through the entire middle of the film. THE NUMBER 23 should have been fun, but there wasn’t any fun to be had. All of the adding up to 23 just adds up to: failure. One stinker of a movie…I hope Jim Carey and his current girlfriend Jenny Mcarthy team up on a script and get back to being zany because this film is going to be a boot to the head for Carey’s career in several ways.
• United States
19 Mar 07
It SHOULD have been fun, but was just a bore. I agree "One stinker ofa movie"...yaya
@BeachBaby (815)
• United States
24 Feb 07
Thank You for the warning.. I guess Ill wait for it to come out on dvd and rent it..
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Feb 07
Your welcome, I wish I had waited for the DVD, but hell- the screening was free! lol
• Singapore
7 May 07
I think I wanted to watch it but you said Jim Carrey? Then I am quite sure I didn't watch it. What's he doing in something that is serious anyway? I have to concede though that Jim is great as an actor.
• United States
10 May 07
"What's he doing in something that is serious anyway?" Exactly! I was looking forward to seeing him in a "serious" role again after the amazing performance he gave in "The Majestic", which was an excellent movie for it's genre. While watching "The Majestic"; I actually found myself enjoying a character played by Carrey, who I have disliked intently since he showed up on the entertainment radar. He now has three halfway decent notches on my stick. Bleh@moviesandtv.ack
• United States
11 Mar 07
Thanks for the review, I won't waste my money on seeing then. You never know with these types of movies.
• United States
19 Mar 07
Welcome! You never know with any movie it seems these days. *sigh*