I did not enjoy “Silent Hill” when I first saw it in theaters but hoped that I would enjoy it more a decade (and more sophisticated movie-watching perspective) later. Unfortunately, time could not make me enjoy this film more. It gets high marks for its atmosphere but the story isn’t very interesting, the pacing creates a lack of suspense, and the horror relies on disturbing images that aren’t really scary. In fact, the scariest part of the film is the maternal fear of losing track of your child. I have found that the adaptation of a video game into a film is rarely successful. The storytelling is completely different as one is interactive while the other is merely observed and there seems to be a struggle when repurposing the content. The journey to Silent Hill is rather gripping but once they arrive in the alternate dimension, it all falls apart. The synopsis and setting of the film makes me want to love it but the poor dialogue and editing make the story drag on until we don’t care anymore. I honestly can’t even remember most of the film’s events. The one thing that has stuck with me from both viewings (in a bad way) is the final gory sequence. In place of a suspenseful, scary climax the film’s “payoff” is a brainless, unequivocally disgusting blood bath. You will never look at barbed wire in the same way after the film’s “payoff.” While “Silent Hill” develops a fascinating setting, the content is extreme and unsatisfying. Leave this one off of your list and enjoy a classic like “Pan’s Labrynth” instead.
[Pictured: The vivid setting is ruined by a vague, illogical plot]
