Great Movie!

Rating: 10/10 (25 April 2006)

I'd like to begin by blatantly stating that this movie is excellent. It sticks closely to the game and gives a sense of nostalgia as careful detail was taken to be true to the game (which I appreciated in a BIG way after being horribly disappointed by Resident Evil and Doom movies). This movie is not a horror film nor is it a slasher movie. If you are looking for such movies, watch something else. This is, as fox_hound put it, a nightmare drama. The film -- and the games themselves -- are all based on atmosphere. Noises like small children and metal scraping/grinding in the background make the hair on your neck stand and give the games a creepy atmosphere. The scenes are not meant to startle you, but rather keep you on the edge of your seat and fully involve you in the story. There's a reason many people say they can watch someone else play Silent Hill but can't play through it themselves -- it is the atmosphere you experience playing the game. For those of you who have played the game, you will be turning to your buddies frequently in excitement over noticing a detail from the game they've placed in the movie. For the sake of not spoiling a single moment I won't delve into anything -- though I'd like to argue those who thought it was bad because their reasons are void and misleading. So if you enjoyed playing or watching the games or you are just in the mood for a nightmare mystery/drama, this movie is an excellent choice. I went with 4 people, 3 of which played the games and thought it was amazing, and 1 who asked at the end, "What? That was based on a game?!" (she still enjoyed it, however) So if you haven't played the games or don't know anything about Silent Hill, keep in mind this isn't a slasher film and just enjoy the movie for what it is -- a mystery set in a creepy atmosphere aimed at making you think to understand what is going on. Enjoy!