Should've Stayed a Video Game

Rating: 4/10 (26 May 2009)

Just another example of the "A.D.D. Ones" not organizing and editing their thoughts or even focusing their ideas. This movie could've been very good, but the whole thing was just way out in left field with parts spilling out into the parking lot. I found myself suspending disbelief way to often and this is coming from someone who loves Science Fiction and Horror stories.
After reading some background info on the movie, I found myself even more confused. You shouldn't have to be familiar with a video game/back story or be required to do research in order to follow a movie, and if the Director is going to use visual clues, better make them obvious. In a world of excessive graphics and attention deficit disorder, people without A.D.D. are learning to "tune out" certain visuals. I also found myself wanting to see more of the creatures, and as usual with todays modern cinema; the dialog was somewhat slurred and mumbled. I don't want to "figure out" a movie. I do enough "figuring out" in the real world.
Maybe the movie should've been split up into a trilogy. With the first movie mainly being about Alessa's past and the town of Silent Hill. The second, about Sharon, her upbringing and her relationship to Silent Hill. Then the third, about the alternate realities of Silent Hill. Maybe the movie would've been better if someone who wasn't familiar with the games took on the project. If you're someone who likes clear and consistent rules in a story, and doesn't like to make a lot of assumptions; you probably will not like this movie. Overall, I would say the movie is worth watching for the Cinematography and Creature Designs alone, but be prepared to be disappointed in the Plot and Direction.