As an avid Silent Hill fan, I was extremely excited for a sequel to Christophe Gans' 2006 film. The 2006 original was exactly what it should be - a movie DEDICATED to fans of the video games! And that movie was amazing - with great performances and a movie that really evoked a sense of dread in the terrifying nightmare.
So I was extremely disappointed that this 2012 sequel is not even close to achieving that same type of caliber. The movie is filled with cheap scare tactics, cheesy acting, and characters randomly thrown in so that it could be called a Silent Hill movie. Whereas Christophe's original was paced so that you could identify with the main characters and their plight, you don't get that opportunity with this cast. When characters drop off in this rushed sequel, you just don't care.
In Christophe's original film, the atmosphere was undeniably that of Silent Hill's. That isn't the case here. It feels more like a cheap "Crow" movie. Am I supposed to be scared of headless skulls whose eyes suddenly pop open when the camera pans over? Am I supposed to think the clown in the mall is frightening? Am I supposed to believe that a guy you just met is somehow now in love with you after knowing you for only one day? NO – it screams cheese! And why would you neuter one of the greatest villains ever created by turning him into a hero? He's supposed to be terrifying – not a guardian angel!
I really wanted to like this movie and thought other reviewers were just trolling because it wasn't a scene-by-scene version of the SH3 video game. I knew off-the-bat that the critics wouldn't like it but if other SH fans enjoyed it, then I knew I would. So I went in with low expectations. Unfortunately, the movie really IS bad.
It's not Silent Hill anymore - it's now just a clone of the equally bad Resident Evil movies. And those people praising the film are most likely the same "fans" who enjoy those lame RE flicks. Movies that just borrow elements from their source with no concern for the fan base. I'm sure if they had brought Christophe back onto direct, it would have been a worthy sequel and not this straight-to-DVD crap.
So I was extremely disappointed that this 2012 sequel is not even close to achieving that same type of caliber. The movie is filled with cheap scare tactics, cheesy acting, and characters randomly thrown in so that it could be called a Silent Hill movie. Whereas Christophe's original was paced so that you could identify with the main characters and their plight, you don't get that opportunity with this cast. When characters drop off in this rushed sequel, you just don't care.
In Christophe's original film, the atmosphere was undeniably that of Silent Hill's. That isn't the case here. It feels more like a cheap "Crow" movie. Am I supposed to be scared of headless skulls whose eyes suddenly pop open when the camera pans over? Am I supposed to think the clown in the mall is frightening? Am I supposed to believe that a guy you just met is somehow now in love with you after knowing you for only one day? NO – it screams cheese! And why would you neuter one of the greatest villains ever created by turning him into a hero? He's supposed to be terrifying – not a guardian angel!
I really wanted to like this movie and thought other reviewers were just trolling because it wasn't a scene-by-scene version of the SH3 video game. I knew off-the-bat that the critics wouldn't like it but if other SH fans enjoyed it, then I knew I would. So I went in with low expectations. Unfortunately, the movie really IS bad.
It's not Silent Hill anymore - it's now just a clone of the equally bad Resident Evil movies. And those people praising the film are most likely the same "fans" who enjoy those lame RE flicks. Movies that just borrow elements from their source with no concern for the fan base. I'm sure if they had brought Christophe back onto direct, it would have been a worthy sequel and not this straight-to-DVD crap.