Everyone deserves an opinion....Silent Hill's complex nature intrigued me

Rating: 9/10 (22 April 2006)

Silent Hill appears to be a genuine sore spot as people argue and bicker about it...was it good, was it smart, was it stupid, was it poorly done...and the name calling and petty bickering is stupid. To each their own...and that goes triple for movies. This was without a doubt one of my most anticipated films of the year and for three quarters of the film I had very, very mixed emotions. At some point I thought how stupid the whole thing was and how disappointed I was. And then next thing I knew I was drawn into it and really started to appreciate it's campy horror, sub-par acting and twisted, disturbing storyline.
First of all let's deal with this whole video game adaptation issue. We have to accept it, it's a way of Hollywood existence now and some will be good and probably more than some will be really bad. Silent Hill is not entirely a video game adaptation. Sure the idea and structure is loosely based on it but the story and characters are entirely unique. You DO NOT have had to play the game to appreciate or enjoy this film. I don't think it would make a lick of difference either way. I've played nearly all of them and it made no difference whatsoever. Fairly inexperienced director Christophe Gans, and gore-fest writer Roger Avary do a fair job of making the video game references very subtle. The story is complex, mystifying even at times (critics both professional and amateur are raving about how they don't understand it.) I admit I didn't find it THAT complex but there is no doubt that it's a deeply twisted and disturbing story but doesn't it have to be?? Isn't that what we wanted out of Silent Hill?? Radha Mitchell takes the lead as adoring mother Rose DeSilva. Now she certainly manages to captivate and hold her own as the main character in a small cast but her acting is campy (perhaps on purpose), a little over the top at times, but sufficient. She does the trick as the hero. Impressive is the work of the quite young, but already very experienced Jodelle Ferland who takes the role of Rose's daughter Sharon but ALSO the role of her evil incarnation Alessa. She is disturbing and horrific and plays both sides of the coin very well and convincingly. Her performance is the highlight of the film. Laurie Holden is the queen of camp in her performance as tough as nails cop Cybil Bennett. Her movements, wardrobe and lines all scream video game (which I assume and hope is on purpose.) I think it was necessary for Mitchell's character to have a partner in the bleak city of Silent Hill for Holden was important but they didn't seem to have great chemistry which would have improved Holden's role significantly. Finally Sean Bean plays husband and father Christopher DeSilva in a tacked on and obviously added role which really had no bearing on the story other than perhaps and hopefully to set up for a sequel. I love Bean and I think he's an incredible actor which is why it's unfortunate to see him so severely underused in this role.
Silent Hill the set was brilliantly made. The city was creepy and quiet (even the music stopped at some points to give you that feeling of horrific serenity.) There were some parts that were made to pay homage to the game that only hardcore fans would recognize as being sets directly lifted from the game. The monsters in Silent Hill were defined and brilliantly made if not occasionally poorly presented. Sometimes it felt like Mitchell's character was simply running from one side of the city to the other just so they could show off a new breed of monster but then again each one was more terrifying than the previous and they were magnificent. You could figure out the story despite it's complexity, and I DO NOT think anyone who really watches it would walk out confused. I think it all came together with only some plot holes that are unavoidable when making a film like this. I think it was the beginning of a brutal, bloody, wicked, horror series and I think this first entry will become absolutely a horror classic with defined monsters and horribly gory scenes and disturbing moments. The film is open to some interpretation and how great is it if a typical slasher horror film can ACTUALLY be unique and thought provoking?? The ending is even more brilliant and opens up a can of worms you can only imagine!! If you're a die hard fan of strange, sci-fi, almost TOO weird films you will DROOL over Silent Hill. It has it's shortcomings but I happen to think it is brilliant!! A series this HAS TO BE!! 9/10