Disturbing, but strangely beautiful

Rating: 10/10 (24 September 2006)

I know calling a film such as Silent Hill beautiful may seem a little odd, but the care taken over the 'feel' of this movie warrants the description.
From the very start it has the grainy reality of a classic Victorian ghost story, something both refreshing and effective. Peppered throughout are enough recognizable camera angles and long-shot views to satisfy the franchise's many gaming fans, but a few twists to the plot also provide the story with a fresh edge. High production values, great performances and obvious attention to detail make this one of the best game-to-movie transfers I have yet seen.
Thankfully CGI effects are limited mostly to the surrounding environment, leaving the nightmarish characters to be based on real substances and textures, the results of which sometimes defied belief. This 'old-style' approach to creature effects adds a powerful reality to the Silent Hill 'world'. So much so, that I couldn't shake an icy cold finger crawling up and down my spine for at least a couple of days. Try saying that about the last horror flick you saw.
If you like this kind of thing, watch it with the lights out and the curtains drawn. You'll be in for a treat.