Keep an open mind though it's not a good horror movie

Rating: 10/10 (3 September 2006)

As a giant fan-boy of the games, I went into this movie (came out only recently in Australia) with high expectations, though didn't want to wreck it for myself by researching plot lines or anything. I only had the game in mind, as everywhere it seemed to be heralded as the best game adaptation (I don't like that term...).
In my first screening I was sadly disappointed. Some of the bits were a bit boring and seemed to drone on forever. Gans does a good job in capturing the 'look' of the game. The gore and violence contained within the horror scenes were excellent though, but as I left the cinema, I had this strong notion that I had missed something.
That's when I realised my mistake. I had been so caught up in anticipating the violence and horror that I had missed out on a detailed and complicated storyline. After keeping this in mind, I went to a second screening with a completely blank mind, as I had already known when the action would come, this time I focused more on the story. And all I can say is wow. When I watched it like this, the movie was a lot better. I could really see what Gans was trying to do with the film. As someone on IMDb said, it plays more like a "Nightmare drama" than a classic horror film. I agree. Silent Hill is definitely more a drama with horror elements. In my second viewing I felt more for the characters and even liked Chris Da Silva (Sean Bean), who seemed an unnecessary addition at first, but later I found anchored the film in contrast to Rose (Rhada Mitchell) and her time in Silent Hill. The story overall also moved at a faster pace without this hindering anticipation. By feeling more for the characters and the story, this also enhanced my visual pleasure of the elaborate sets and monster design (I had never realised the beauty of the fog until now...). It's amazing to think this film only had a budget of $50 million as it accomplishes so much visually and conceptually.
It is no wonder this movie has gone over critic's heads most of the time, resulting in poor senseless ratings. It is when you go into a film with certain expectations that a film can be wrecked for yourself. Don't think of it as a horror film, keep an open mind, and fall in love with the demented world of Silent Hill.