"Taking Lives" is a thriller that's often compared to "Se7en," although it's not nearly as compelling or believable. The film provides a few twists, some of them pitifully easy to predict, and a couple genuine scares but it's also dangerously formulaic.

A serial killer is littering Montreal with bodies, each sporting the murderer's trademark bashed-in skull. Since the local police are apparently incompetent, FBI special agent Illeana Scott (Angelina Jolie) is called to the scene.

As if a super-sexy FBI agent tracking down a Canadian mass-murderer isn't enough of a stretch, Scott's also blessed with the gift of super-senses. When completely immersed in a crime scene - or lying at the bottom of a grave - she has the ability to visualize the victim's death.

It seems the killer left a witness, Costa (Ethan Hawke), at the latest crime scene. But the police are suspicious, that is until Scott interrogates him and uses her spidey-sense to decide that he's telling the truth. A plan is hatched; since they believe the killer will return to tie up any loose ends they'll use Costa as bait.

Now it's time for a disclaimer; "Taking Lives" isn't a movie for those who like to ask questions. How did Scott develop her extra-sensory skills? Well, your guess is as good as mine since the film offers little explanation. If it's hard for you to unjustifiably accept what's happening on screen, please bail-out now. To get any enjoyment out of this film, you must turn your brain off and go along for the ride.

The fact is, for much of the movie Angelina Jolie is completely out-of-place. Her portrayal of Scott is soft-spoken, immaculately dressed, perfectly groomed and extremely good looking; not exactly the attributes one would apply to a FBI agent with a morbid curiosity of death. Jolie comes across as a beautiful woman scowling unrealistically in a failed attempt to play cop.

Director D.J. Caruso spends considerable effort to create a dark tone, but it's squandered with inconsistent candy-coated scenes that leave much of the film a sterile, emotionless shell. Fortunately, during the final act the gloves finally come off and it's time to get serious.

It seems that agent Scott's extraordinary intuition doesn't apply to common sense, or acts of lust, and Jolie finally has a personal conflict to play against. For the remainder of the film, Jolie nails the role as a tough but confused, and more importantly imperfect, agent of the law.

Other cast members don't fare quite as well. Ethan Hawke suffers from the same too-clean-cut syndrome that Jolie initially has, but as the film progresses his character becomes even less believable. Still his flaws are easier to overlook once Jolie captures her role and carries the film. Talking about Keifer Sutherland's performance risks giving too much away; just know that it's nothing of substance.

The final-third of the film is a long time-coming, but the payoff works. As the climax nears there are some seriously twisted sequences that at least make-up for the inconsistent experience of getting there. While there's not quite enough to warrant an all-out enthusiastic recommendation, "Taking Lives" is a fairly good film that's probably worth a look.

This Unrated DVD adds six minutes of Jolie skin and bright flowing blood that never made it to the big-screen. The picture and sound quality are both quite good, and the anamorphic enhancement is definitely a plus. Extras include four short documentaries, a "gag reel," and the theatrical trailer; but they're still pretty meager.