Well Done Adaptation by an Underrated Filmmaker

Rating: 10/10 (22 April 2006)

Nearly 5 years ago, Christophe Gans created cinematic gold with Brotherhood of the Wolf, an excellent but rarely viewed film. Beautiful settings, colorful characters, and an excellent plot that resolves very well.
Now, with Silent Hill, Gans has upped the ante and delivered far more vibrant characters, and settings that are all as crucial to the story than the characters are. Although it is much more accessible than Brotherhood, it is not a film for everyone. Gans definitely struck gold by creating a film for video gamers, but so much for video gamers that general film goers may become confused when the film ends. I am a fan of video games, and I have played the Silent Hill games to completion. This review is from my perspective, as a gamer and film lover.
Radha Mitchell is wonderful as Rose, and a very underrated actress. Pitch Black and High Art were all very good films, but she really shines here. Rose's emotional turmoil when initially searching for her daughter within Silent Hill quickly transforms into determination as Rose deals with the evil that awaits her. Jodelle Ferland is great as Sharon and Alessa. Hopefully we'll see more of her in the future, as she is a fine addition to the few child actors who exist in film today. Laurie Holden as the female police officer Cybil is the perfect tough chick, but also portrays a caring and strong-willed individual. Sean Bean is a tad underused in the film, but the scenes with him and Rose in Silent Hill were very well done. The rest of the cast helped to serve a purpose in the history of Silent Hill, especially Kim Coates as the cop aiding Rose's husband in finding her and their daughter.
The film itself is not the typical "Boo" scare horror film, but rather an entrancing thriller, with a dash of hellish adventure. The surreal creatures are a highlight of the film, most notably 'Colin,' the Silent Hill school janitor turned contorted freak bound in barbed wire. Pyramid Head was a fine addition, a villain most Silent Hill gamers will recognize. His two big scenes are incredibly frightening, with the latter concluding in a very gruesome way. One major complaint from most viewers will be the ending. I enjoy films whose endings are left for the viewer's interpretation, and Silent Hill is no stranger to having a shocking and confusing ending. From my interpretation, the ending had to happen, and when you see Silent Hill, I guarantee your interpretation will be different.
Christophe Gans has made much improvement in his film-making by creating such a shocking, disturbing, and hauntingly beautiful film.