Unexpectedly Brilliant

Rating: 8/10 (12 October 2006)

OK, probably nearly everyone who chose to watch this film expected a half arsed, fan-pleasing, game to film adaptation with less than average visual effects, and acting that a woodpecker would break it's beak on.
However! I found this film to be a refreshingly disturbing and brilliant work that left me grabbing for handfuls of pop-corn to fill my gaping jaw as I sat through some of the most eye catching and brilliant "monsters" I have yet to see in film.
Having only glanced upon the game several times I haven't much input on the game to film adaptation stuff. But, I've been told it's all great. So that's that.
I usually can't stand horror films, or anything "scary" in film. I've often found them either too disturbing, laughable, or just out there to give the audience a cheap shock. But I've got to stress this is simply not what happens here, the acting of the leading woman/girl/mother (I'm just no good with terms. Actually, I'm not good with names either.) was great, and not the corny scream and run idea I was expecting. Her reactions to the "monsters" are completely believable and no heroics are shown at places where you wouldn't expect.
Mr Sean Bean however... was just not on. A crappy attempt at an American accent was just laughable, however his scenes were necessary to those not familiar with the game.
Not many points have been covered in this, I believe to be the first review I've ever written, so I'll summarise in some nice numbers:
Scaaaariness: 10/10 Acting/Believability: 8/10 (Due to The Bean.) Special Effects: 9/10 (Awesome sets.) Sound/Music: 7/10 (Some ambient music was shoddy.)