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Amazon.co.uk Review
A lot of movies can be described as "dripping with atmosphere," but in the case of Silent Hill it's literally true. Faithfully adapted from the Konami video games by French director Christophe Gans and Pulp Fiction cowriter Roger Avary (both self-confessed video game addicts), this dark and grisly horror-fest is nothing if not a triumph of cinematography and production design, consisting of a minimal and mostly incoherent plot propped up by a mysterious maze of sets that literally seep, drip, and ooze with the atmospheric evil of past misdeeds. Welcome to the abandoned and perpetually foggy ghost town of Silent Hill, where grey ash falls like snow, a devastating coal-mine fire still burns in a hellish underground, and demons of various shapes and sizes make your worst nightmares seem like a walk in the park. It's here that distressed mother Rose (played by Pitch Black heroine Radha Mitchell) has taken her daughter Sharon (Jodelle Ferland) in hopes of discovering the source of Sharon's sleepwalking nightmares. What they find instead is a burned-out legacy of unspeakable evil, as Silent Hill's dark secrets are revealed. As opposing denizens of Silent Hill's meta-morphing underworld, Canadian actresses Alice Krige and Deborah Kara Unger seem to be the only ones who recognize this morbid mess as campy comedy; Gans (who established his visual flair with The Brotherhood of the Wolf) and Avary take it far too seriously, and the entire movie is utterly devoid of any emotional hooks or plot logic that would make us care about anything that happens. In crafting a loyal big-screen rendition of Silent Hill and its Playstation sequels, they've forgotten that movies play by a different and more demanding set of rules. As a result, they've made an impressive-looking but ultimately hollow horror film that only Silent Hill game-players can truly appreciate. --Jeff Shannon
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I'd never heard of the game on which this is based, so was expecting a train-wreck of a film. I was pleasantly surprised by this gorgeously-shot and mostly well-acted horror story, which uses CGI graphics to impressive effect.
At one point in the 'making-of' featurettes included on this disc, star Radha Mitchell points to a key reason why this film is good: that while many horror directors take a 'less is more' approach and keep the monsters in the shadows, 'Silent Hill' has them out in the open. Though CGI of course ages, the monsters in this film really are beautifully created, and constantly draw the eye to their appearance and movements.
I was also intrigued by the prospect of seeing such an international picture. Based on a Japanese game, directed and produced by Frenchmen, written by an American, and featuring American, Australian, South African and British stars filming in Canada, it's surprising that it holds together so well. Alice Krige in particular plays a great role, and Mitchell is superb throughout. A pity, though, that Sean Bean's scenes are superfluous and that his Sheffield, England accent is barely disguised - couldn't they just have featured a Yorkshireman?
Sadly, the plot is a little confusing and few specific scenes stay rooted in the mind, though some moments of brutality do stick out - you're left more with a general impression of the scenery, despite the great performances and amazing attention to detail throughout. Style over substance, but if this is style, who cares?
At one point in the 'making-of' featurettes included on this disc, star Radha Mitchell points to a key reason why this film is good: that while many horror directors take a 'less is more' approach and keep the monsters in the shadows, 'Silent Hill' has them out in the open. Though CGI of course ages, the monsters in this film really are beautifully created, and constantly draw the eye to their appearance and movements.
I was also intrigued by the prospect of seeing such an international picture. Based on a Japanese game, directed and produced by Frenchmen, written by an American, and featuring American, Australian, South African and British stars filming in Canada, it's surprising that it holds together so well. Alice Krige in particular plays a great role, and Mitchell is superb throughout. A pity, though, that Sean Bean's scenes are superfluous and that his Sheffield, England accent is barely disguised - couldn't they just have featured a Yorkshireman?
Sadly, the plot is a little confusing and few specific scenes stay rooted in the mind, though some moments of brutality do stick out - you're left more with a general impression of the scenery, despite the great performances and amazing attention to detail throughout. Style over substance, but if this is style, who cares?
45 of 50 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I have never played the games but I like horror films and this one I liked. It is very atmospheric and the scenery is terrific. It is a horror movie that doesn't use cheap tricks and there is a lot of suspense. It has a intriguing story line that you feel compelled to see through.
Looking at the other reviews this seems to be the kind of movie you either hate or love. I had no problems with the acting and thought the movie was well cast. I have never played the games so I cannot compare the two but it might explain the rich if confusing storyline. I was uneasy at all times and when day turns to hell (night) I found it to be very hellish and longed for the day again.
To me this story is a keeper, but since it has such love or hate reactions I can only help you by saying that I like horror movies such as Alien, The Thing, The Others and 28 days later. I don't like Scream, Halloween or Friday the 13th. Hope it helps.
Looking at the other reviews this seems to be the kind of movie you either hate or love. I had no problems with the acting and thought the movie was well cast. I have never played the games so I cannot compare the two but it might explain the rich if confusing storyline. I was uneasy at all times and when day turns to hell (night) I found it to be very hellish and longed for the day again.
To me this story is a keeper, but since it has such love or hate reactions I can only help you by saying that I like horror movies such as Alien, The Thing, The Others and 28 days later. I don't like Scream, Halloween or Friday the 13th. Hope it helps.
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
If your a fan of horror films you will probably love Silent Hill. Obviously based heavily on the bestselling game series, Silent Hill is enjoyable weather you have or havent played the games. Many of the main characters and monsters from the earlier games feature heavily in the film, some of which have been suitably adapted and work well. The script is good and to the point, but some may concider it slightly bland in places. The quality of acting from the relativly unknown cast is of a good standard, especially compared with liker concieved films such as 'Resident evil' that is not a touch on this adaptation.
Silent Hill town itself has many firmiliar locations and sequences that have been directly taken from the games and make welcome sights for devoted games. The special effects are very good and do the game justice, with an original use of computer technology for scenes when the town 'turns to darkness'.
The film moves steadily and surly as the plot unravels and there is a nicly ominous conclusion that fits well into the franchise. Overall some may find the mysterious theme of this film not to their taste but for Horror film fans and Silent Hill game players this is an excellent theactrical adaptation and worth watching.
Silent Hill town itself has many firmiliar locations and sequences that have been directly taken from the games and make welcome sights for devoted games. The special effects are very good and do the game justice, with an original use of computer technology for scenes when the town 'turns to darkness'.
The film moves steadily and surly as the plot unravels and there is a nicly ominous conclusion that fits well into the franchise. Overall some may find the mysterious theme of this film not to their taste but for Horror film fans and Silent Hill game players this is an excellent theactrical adaptation and worth watching.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
If you're a Silent Hill junkie, add another star or two to my rating.
Joining the lengthy list of video game adaptations is Silent Hill, based on the hugely successful Japanese video game series. Read more
Published 5 months ago by UndeadCritic
silent hill
not your normal boring run of the mill horror this film is a cut above.the film needs to be watched carefully to understand it but its worth it,its one of the few horrors with a... Read more
Published 6 months ago by jed
Disappointing dribble!!!
Loved the game, it genuinely scared the pants off me... unfortunately this BORING movie did not!!! What annoys me most is when will todays Hollywood producers/directors learn to do... Read more
Published 8 months ago by J. J. MCGOWAN
Survival Horror Adapted
I have to admit that I haven't played Silent Hill. I have played Resident Evil though, and was disgusted at the film adaptation of that one. But Silent Hill was really enjoyable. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Kedakai Okami
Flawed but Fabulous
All right, this film does have its flaws, but its good aspects make certainly up for it.
The two flaws are: The main actress and the dialogues. Read more
The two flaws are: The main actress and the dialogues. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Jaydiart
Nightmare Town!
Silent Hill is based on a computer game I have never seen or played so I can only give my opinion on the film without comparing it to the game. Read more
Published 10 months ago by j.r
silent hill is a decent video game movie
ok, as alot of people who play video games will know, movies based on games suck (tekken, king of fighters, street fighter, mortal kombat etc) but the silent hill movie is actually... Read more
Published 10 months ago by shinigami95
Good Horror Film
My Daughter saved up for this film and two manga books, and urged me to send for them, from Amazon.
I then was confronted by pleading of 'please watch it with me? Read more
I then was confronted by pleading of 'please watch it with me? Read more
Published 12 months ago by S. E. Wainwright
creepy!
One of my new favorites is silent hill, a must watch for anyone who likes horror. It definitely deserves its age rating:15 so don,t show it to anyone young 'cause they'll be scared... Read more
Published 13 months ago by monkey
Silent Hill, loved it!
Silent Hill, directed by Christophe Gans, is a game turned film about a young girl's haunted past and the lengths a mother will go to in order to protect her child. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Oliver H Willis
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