The best way to proceed with a review for a new Dario Argento film is to promise outright that it will not be compared to his earlier work. Much time was wasted in a previous review for the director’s “Trauma” stating the obvious: the Argento of the new Millennium is not the same as the Argento from the ‘70’s. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; it just means that the director has gone in a different direction artistically. We’ll, if the film is “Phantom of the Opera,” then yes, it kinda is a bad thing… However, it’s unfair to continuously compare his earlier work to more recent fare, which happens often when his work is discussed. Different time, different place. For the record, “The Card Player” is much better than the more recent “Phantom” (from ’98). Guess those comparisons are almost inevitable…

In Rome, a British female tourist has been abducted. The kidnapper sends the police an e-mail challenging them to a game of online video poker. Icy detective Anna (Stefania Rocco) is the first to intercept the message: if the police win, the woman will be set free, if they lose she will be killed. To make matters even more cinematic, a web cam (complete with sound) of the bound and gagged victim is shown next to the poker game. Each round that the killer wins the unlucky tourist is robbed of a body part as well. A bad call made by the chief of police (Antonio Cabtafora) brings a quick end to the game and to the tourist. John (Liam Cunningham), a British detective (of Irish descent) is brought onto the case as well; joining Anna in the hunt for the diabolical killer. (Must they all be diabolical?) Anna and John begin to show an attraction toward one another, complicating matters even further. More women are abducted and more games are lost until our intrepid leads find scrappy young poker genius Remo (Silvio Muccino) to outwit the madman. When the police chief’s daughter is kidnapped, another online game is played. This time, with the help of Remo, the police win. The chief’s daughter is returned, but not without serious repercussions for the young poker player. The film climaxes with a typical cat-and-mouse game between two of the characters. But Argento does deliver a modicum of suspense and even manages to finesse some solid performances from the leads.

“The Card Player” has an intriguing, naturalistic lighting scheme that is unusual for an Argento film. It has a wintry, steely blue aesthetic that really gives the film a solemn, desolate quality. Director of photography Benoit Debie (who shot 2002’s “Irreversible”) does a commendable job here. This is definitely a huge departure for Argento artistically. A tightly paced scene between Anna and the killer in her apartment works well and reminds one of what the director is sometimes capable of. Best of all, “The Card Player” has a wonderful electronic score by ex-Goblin Claudio Simonetti. There’s a vibrant energy that Simonetti lends to an Argento film that can’t be denied. The director would be wise to hire the man to score all of his films.

What also works in the film’s favor are the capable leads. The strong female protagonist, played with much flair by Rocco, is a great addition to the Argento cannon. Sort of a Italian Genevieve Bujold, she brings a cool conviction to the role. Though her romance with the brash Irish detective seems a bit forced, both Rocco and Cunningham give strong performances. Unfortunately, they’re not given much help by the simple screenplay (written by Argento). Aside from a bit of character nuance, the plot is a rather standard serial-killer affair. It’s nothing that hasn’t been done before (and to better result) more recently here in America.

Just like the crackerjack release of Anchor Bay’s “Trauma,” “Card Player” is another polished DVD release. The film is presented in 1.85:1 widescreen and the transfer is top notch. The sound has been mixed in both Dolby Digital 2.0 and 5.1 and is truly superior. Two featurettes are included; “Playing with Death,” a relatively new interview with Argento and “Maestro of Fear” a short on Simonetti. It’s nice to hear Simonetti discuss his work; it’s a short piece but worth the addition. Argento expert Alan Jones contributes another audio commentary (he shared his thoughts on the “Trauma” disc as well). A theatrical trailer (as well as two bonus trailers before the feature), electronic press kit, a behind-the-scenes and an Argento bio are also included. The disc packaging trumpets an 8-page booklet; but it’s simply a short interview Argento gave during filming of “The Card Player.”

“The Card Player” is a competently made programmer with a few intense scenes and solid performances. It has a bit of an edge with it’s stark cinematography and Simonetti score; but it’s still nothing special. Hopefully Argento’s entry in the Masters of Horror anthology series this fall, “Jennifer,” might return him to more unsafe (and relevant) territory.