A Decent Stylistic Exercise

Rating: Null/10 (30 April 2006)

People who complain about the plot certainly have a point, it makes little sense. But a movie like this is not really about "making sense", it's about delivering trippy imagery. On that basis alone I can recommend this -- while not especially frightening, it's incredibly nifty to look at. If you liked HELLRAISER you'll probably like this.
There are nods to the video game roots but I think they're handled pretty well, with essentially a wink and a smile -- the bit with "memorizing the map" comes to mind.
Only two complaints. First of all, the final reveal of who the bad guys are is disappointing in the extreme, painfully obvious. Ironically, the biggest weakness in SILENT HILL comes when the actual plot kicks into gear, during the only time that the story really become paramount.
More importantly, I think the pacing's off. Again, it's the climax. A movie like this needs a real firework sendoff, a real visual barnburster. I found this disappointing. (The coda is nicely ambiguous, though.) Still, it's worth seeing. Especially if you think you'd like to see it, you probably should. You're already on the movie's wavelength.