Silent Hill is anything but Silent

Rating: 7/10 (1 September 2006)

Not a player of video games, I knew nothing about Silent Hill, but eagerly waited for the movie, as it looked amazing - not to mention the lovely Deborah Kara Unger is in it. Hopefully, because I haven't played the video game I can be rather neutral with my opinion of the film, which in summary, is rather disappointing. Maybe I missed out on enjoying the film to it's fullest extent because of not playing the game, but if an adapted film is going to be good, then one shouldn't have to have played the game (or read the book, or comic or whatever).
Without going too in depth into the plot of the film, which in itself, is rather interesting, but highly confusing and there seems to be too much left unexplained. However, what is obvious is done very well. Direction and cinematography are great, special effects are hauntingly amazing and at times it looks like a video game - intentional or not, is actually quite cool. While coming across in the trailer as a horror, "Silent Hill" isn't really that scary. There are some terrifying moments, but overall, it's more of a thriller-mystery. However, those little creatures that Rose first encounters at Silent Hill unbelievably scary - and the noise the make is nearly as terrifying as the noise made in "The Grudge".
The acting is mixed. Radha Mitchell is a fantastic supporting actress, but taking the lead of Rose Da Silva in "Silent Hill" she doesn't seem to quite pull it off, although her concern for her daughter is shown well. Sean Bean is convincing as troubled husband / father Christopher Da Silva and Laurie Holden is great as butch cop Cybil Bennett. The amazing Deborah Kara Unger (one of my favourite actresses) is barely recognisable as the outcast Dahlia Gillespie, a sad character whom one cannot but help have compassion for. It's a real shame she didn't get much screen time, but look out for Deborah in the flashback scenes where she looks more herself. The terrific acting continues in the form of Officer Thomas Gucci played by the wonderful Kim Coates and Alice Krige as the cruel Christabella. Rounding out the main cast is of course Jodelle Ferland who plays Sharon / Alessa, and does an admirable job.
While falling short in some areas, "Silent Hill" makes up for its mistakes by having a generally terrific cast, and for mentioning (though not until towards the end of the film) how people fear what they do not understand, and in Silent Hill, they burn what they are afraid of. Much along the lines of "The Crucible". Dahlia and Christabella's opposites are also interesting to watch. Finally, the amazing score and soundtrack featured in "Silent Hill" (which is in general a very loud film) are great, and help to speed up some of the slower moments in the film. Disappointing, but not a total loss.