Life of the Living Dead

Rating: 8/10 (14 February 2005)

From time to time strange things happen to you. A strange desire, an urgent passion, or, who knows what else! One of the strangest and most macabre urges I've got is watching scary movies. Yes, you know it. That chill running down your spine, your heart pounding so loud the person next to you can hear it, eye lids closed, screams of terror, quickly followed by a shamefully amused giggle. That's the ride a good scary movie delivers for you. That's what "The Others" keeps you through.
It doesn't have a brilliant plot, the twists aren't "dementially" cool as in The Sixth Sense, but it's got a feel of terror embroidered on its frames. Yes, it gets that horrific in the best of ways! A mother and her children live in a huge house, alone, until a some new servants pop up in front of their door and commit to their housekeeping tasks. But there's something wrong about the whole thing from the very beginning. The fog, the house, the children, the words...it's a feeling that takes hold of you and doesn't really let you go until near the end. It's authentic psychological horror, brilliant in all regards, not showing any truly obnoxious images. And I've never seen anything like it. Even "The Sixth Sense" relies more on imagery and as I well recall, it wasn't all imagery there either. But - if I did start comparing it to The Sixth Sense - there's one more thing I need to add. There is a reasonable difference between the movies, especially regarding the emphasis. Shayamalan's movie relies on the ending and the ending is more than just the Cherry on top. Some will make the mistake to criticize "The Others" for a sloppy conclusion, but this simply can not be regarded as the movie's strong point. It's the inner force that thrives through its intense tale. The movie itself forces you to admire it, not a simple gimmick.
Nicole, I hate to admit it, is pretty damned good and the kids go just marvelous together. However, there will be those saying it's not "that fresh" and not "all that original". Even if there is some truth behind those statements, it's still the best film of its genre in years...and years to come, probably. A definite must for fans and a scrupulous ride for those weak of heart. Great Amenabar!