Congenially Crafted: A Paradigm Shift In Games2Movies

Rating: 9/10 (10 January 2007)

Every once in a while the tell-tale-terror crossover genre generates one-of-a-kind highlights for others to copy, compete or tamper with, like THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, THE MOTHMAN PROPHECIES, Abel Ferrara's outstanding ADDICTION or this slightly underrated masterpiece here, SILENT HILL, which - in all it's shining, weird uniqueness - instantly renders any bold comparison ludicrous. It's a truly unsettling, mysterious white-knuckle ride, and Yes, there's plenty of slasher stuff here. But it goes without saying, like, "Oh my god, dude, seen that freak's blasting ribcage squirting kinda spores all over that leather-clad maiden cop? Wicked!". It much rather tightens a smoothly woven and absorbing web of sheer non-stop suspense, benefiting from it's origin - a trilogy of already superb computer games - where substantial care had been taken of a steadily rising thrill-factor.
Slick scripting and congenial craftsmanship then condensed into what happens to be one of the most gripping horror movies of the decade. The faint-of-heart may heed officer Gucci's well-meant advise: "So I want you to go home now, to your nice warm bed, and let me deal with this town and what has happened over the last thirty years. OK? End of story."