Stars Adelaide Clemens, Kit Harrington with Deborah Kara Unger, Carrie-Anne Moss, Sean Bean, Malcolm McDowell and Radha Mitchell Directed by Michael J Bassett I'm not a very big fan of horror films, so I don't usually bother to watch them in the cinemas, but there are a few that do grab my attention. Despite its flaws, I really like the first Silent Hill movie. I was aware that it was an adaptation of a video game, but that the extent of my awareness of what Silent Hill was all about. I just found it rare that it had strong female characters that were central to the core of the story while the majority of the male characters were regulated to really weaker (usually typically female) roles. Radha Mitchell and Alice Krige really made the 2006 movie really enjoyable as did Laurie Holden. Silent Hill: Revelation is a rather belated and direct sequel with Sean Bean and Deborah Kara Unger reprising their original roles, while Adelaide Clemens takes the lead as Sharon (originally played by Jodelle Ferland). The mystery of how Sharon was reunited with her father (Bean) is quickly explained (with a cameo by Radha MItchell) and a major plot point is dropped in at the same time. Sharon and her father have been on the move since the last movie, staying ahead of certain people from a cult who want Sharon back in Silent Hill in order to deal with Alessa's still restless spirit. Even their names have been changed to Heather and Harry (supposedly to match the game), but an early scene pretty much dismisses the issue of names. Despite several warnings, Sharon heads back to Silent Hill when her father is taken by the leader of the cult, Claudia Wolf (Carrie-Anne Moss), reluctantly aided by Vincent (Kit Harrington - Jon Snow in Game of Thrones). Much of the atmosphere that made the original work is rather lacking here, although it does provide a nice workout for the 3D with the bits of ash flying all over, but it doesn't last as long as one would hope. Instead we get lots of dark and murky sets, and lots of eye-poking bits, the typical stuff you'd expect from a 3D horror film. There are some nice set-pieces tho, especially with the nurses who were really effective in the last movie. A scene with the 'spider-mannequin' showcases a unique creature but is, at the same time, fairly pointless. The giant with the pyramid head is also back, but is even more pointless than in the previous movie, less freaky too. Director Michael Bassett, who did the decent Solomon Kane, obviously has some love for the previous movie, and perhaps more for the game. The problem with that is this movie comes across a lot like watching a game being played, with the main character going through certain set-pieces that are usually meant to prolong a gaming experience, padding the story, rather than advancing it. Adding to the problem is that Claudia isn't as menacing as Christabella despite filling the same role, which ultimately lends nothing to the final confrontation. Clemens does well enough in the lead although the dialogue leaves something to be desired, especially her exchanges with Harrington. Harrington apparently made this movie before he was even cast in Game of Thrones. Clemens does carry a majority of the movie by herself, but is easily overshadowed by the more senior stars she shares scenes with, especially Unger and Malcolm McDowell as Leonard Wolf. In all, I would still prefer the 2006 movie over this. The faults do outweigh the good bits, but if you're in a forgiving mood, it's a decent little distraction, but that's about it. Fans of the game might find more to enjoy with the few little easter eggs peppered throughout the movie's design (apparently).
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
December 2017
|