The game is scary because it has that psychological terror, this movie doesn't have that and that's why it's not scary.

Rating: 6/10 (21 April 2006)

It's missing that *psychological* horror. Silent Hill is a town that is dark even when there is daylight because the fog is so thick. This fog or smog is so thick that the only time you're able to see anything is when you're close to it. Imagine being lost walking around looking for your daughter in Silent Hill, a place with thick fog where you could only see as far as your hand can go. That's the psychological horror, and the movie didn't have that.
In the game, unpredictable and unexplainable things happen. These things are not suppose to be scary but you might get scared anyways. In the game, for example, doors that were once locked are now mysteriously open. Classroooms that were once filled with tables become empty. After returning to an elevator, another button suddenly appears leading you to another room. It's not that scary but the more these events happen, the more that psychological confusion builds up until it becomes horrifying. And then, the "darkeness" comes and then your state of mind loses control. This movie didn't have that process and that feeling. It doesn't have that originality.
The first 30 minutes of this movie was very good. Then after a while you'll start to yawn at the nonsense they give you afterwards. In my opinion, there's too many characters. The only Silent Hill game I ever played was the first Silent Hill and to me, back then, it was the scariest game I ever played. That game had just a few characters, but it was enough to set that mood of loneliness and fear. When a movie like this has a lot of people in it, it makes you feel like you're in crowded area away from fear.
Also, I wanna point out the camera angles. In the game, you feel alone because it feels like there is only one camera following your character. That's what makes the game so interesting, the game doesn't always switch scenes or switch camera. And in the game, you don't ALWAYS here music. That's what makes it scary, the second you hear something you're going to panic. I think the only strong thing in this movie is the computer graphics. Amazing graphics and description of how the "other world" should be.
And finally, the plot, the plot really had it's weak points. The beginning was easy for everyone to understand and follow. But towards the middle and last part you become more lost than the characters in the movie. Trust me, you'll get confused. But I was expecting this already so I'm not surprised by the people complaining about the plot. The games plot is supposed to be confusing anyway, but when it comes to movies, I don't think anybody likes being confused.
If you wanna make a movie based on a game, it should feel like the game. That way, everyone watching will understand why so many Silent Hill fans enjoy the game. They did a pretty good job making the film, but they could have done better. They should have given it some originality, something the audience never seen or felt before in a movie. That's how I felt when I played the game for the first time, it was so original and interesting. And yes, the game will always be better than the movie.
Scary? No. Funny? hmm it depends, even though there was no comedy at all but I'm not complaining. Entertaining? Sometimes. Confusing? Yeah, the last half hour of the movie. Worth Watching? If you played the game, if not, good luck.
6/10