Movie Review: Silent Hill

Brief Summary: Based on the video game, a woman named Rose takes her adopted daughter, Sharon on a road trip. They travel to the town of Silent Hill where nothing seems right. When Sharon goes missing upon arrive into the town, Rose goes on frantic search. She runs into Cybil again and offers her to join. As the two travel deeper into town, they start to discover its secrets.
While in the school, the twosome encounter a threatening image of Pyramid Head. They manage to escape once the darkness fades away. More and more is coming their way. But it isn't until they reach the hospital does things go south. Dark Alessa talks to Rose personally and tells the story of how Alessa became what she did.
Rose learns that Alessa is the darkness ruler and she has no intent of stopping until revenge is for filled. Reluctantly, Rose helps the dark haired girl get into the church by possession. Christabella had kidnapped Sharon and about to do what she did before. But Alessa will have none of it as all hell breaks loose around them. It isn't long until Alessa's revenge is complete and the world starts to change back.

The Cast: 
-Radha Mitchell (Rose Da Silva) 
-Sean Bean (Christopher Da Silva)
-Laurie Holden (Cybil Bennette)
-Deborah Kara Unger (Dahlia Gillespie)  
-Alice Krige (Christabella)
-Jodelle Ferland (Alessa/Sharon) 


Portrait of the Video Game:

Devil's Pit in Downpour

The movie is great for visualizing Silent Hill but it never could stand up for the actual game it was based on. The video game is said to be violent and downright disturbing. In the first game, the story revolves around Harry Mason who is in search of his daughter, Cheryl. In the movies, this is played out opposite but we are introduced to Cheryl aka Sharon early on. As the game series moves on, more and more people are introduced.
Downpour is a great example of this. It introduced Murphy Pendleton, a inmate who was being transported to another prison. He was involved in a crash with the rest of the inmates on the way, Silent Hill looming in the distance. Actually playing the game, you get to visit sites outside the actual town-- Devil's Pit is one of these. This game became a sudden hit because of its mixed approach upon having you explore different locations.
But as the story goes in the movie, it is still the same in the games. You're trapped in Silent Hill and you have to find a way out. Simply right? Not quite. You still have to face the darkness and everything that looms in it. But it is only the first and second game you come face-to-face with Alessa herself. But the thrill and chills it provides is one thing the fans love.

My Review: 

This is one of the few movies based on a video game that never got the recognition it deserved. Its concepts were well matched with the original game, sharing well adapted ideas from it. The monsters were realistic and strange as they should be-- a thing of nightmares. Although it lacked the blood bath we usually see, it was suspenseful and eerie. Jodelle did a fabulous job of portraying both Alessa's dark side and Sharon. The town's view was perfect, nailing the opportunity of using fog and creating a dark world inside it. I didn't really find the creatures as disturbing as they could of been but their interpretation was good. I liked how each one was different and most came from the actual game-- such as Pyramid Head and the Armless Man. The perfect surrounding made anyone cringe and the horrid sounds just added to it. This movie is definitely in my top 25, being more creepy than gory however. I felt as if I was stuck with Rose in Silent Hill, taking you deep into the town's history which made the movie so interesting. I would suggest this movie to any avid horror game fan that has or has not played this one. Great movie for this who are looking for the jump scares rather than the blood. 

I rate this movie a 5 out of 5 stars

Spotlights:

-The Armless Man 

Being the first monster encounter as well as an iconic one from the game made this moment just as bittersweet. But the jerky motion and disturbing look would make any new viewer shake. 

-Walking Though The Nurse Herd 

This moment was one of best due to the not only iconic nurses but the fact she had to walk through them. Any movement and sound triggers them so watch out! Would you survive? 

-Killer Confrontation With The Guardian

Even though we see him before this moment, it just proves how dangerous he really is. Snapping someone's neck with one hand is a definite fleet and we know that this guy knows business.

-Releasing Alyssa 

If you were asked to carry the darkness ruler, would you? Rose obviously wasn't expecting this horrid experience. But have to be honest, the fact she came out of her cut was pretty nifty! 

Fun Facts: 

Monster Me! 

All of the creatures in the movie were played by real people. Some of the moments were CGI but most of the popular known creatures such as Pyramid Head and the Nurses were all done in real-time.

The Stilts of Pyramid Head
Roberto Campanella wore 15 inch heels which were actually boots. He portrayed Pyramid Head himself, reaching nearly 7 feet tall with the boots on.

Catch the illusion
The jerky and strange motion of the Nurses was actually done as a trick. The women were filmed walking backwards and they'd run the film in reverse to complete the effect.
(Source: IMDb)

Thanks for reading! I meant to get this done before Halloween but it never happened. Anyways, hope you enjoyed it!
Watch the Silent Hill trailer here