RETURN TO SILENT HILL REVIEW - SPOILERS. ALL SPOILERS:
Okay, so first of all y'all know I'm a *huge* fan of Silent Hill, as I've been playing this series since the original SH game on PS1. THAT BEING SAID.
This movie had a lot, and I mean a *LOT*, of Hollywood adaption. First and foremost, I really liked how the movie focused on James' and Mary's relationship outside of the game itself, so that was refreshing. That being said, I didn't like how they were only dating and not married - I've always felt that James' search for his *wife* carried the weight of desperation, that he lost someone so close. Not to say that people who aren't married can't be that close, I've just always felt that way towards him and his relationship.
The visuals were absolutely *STUNNING* amazingly! There's a shot my wife pointed out in the beginning where James' transition from the fog world to the Otherworld that was done in one continuous shot that was SO visually pleasing. The lighting, lots of reds, was *so* beautiful! There were scenes of James' running on the grating that were taken from below that I really liked too. And the shot of him in the restroom before he goes into Silent Hill, the iconic beginning? UNF that was SO GOOD. Also I admit, I didn't mind James being a painter in the movie, because it gave the opportunity to see some stunning/fucked up visuals - one I really liked myself was his self portrait that he added the shape of a pyramid too, once again driving home that he and Pyramid Head were the same person.
I really liked the monsters in this movie, even the original ones! The mannequin that transformed into the dummy thicc spider was pretty cool - and while Pyramid Head didn't actually violate that particular monster, I liked that it alluded to that scene. Speaking of, I wasn't terribly big into the fact that you could see into his helmet, HOWEVER I understand that that drove home that James = Pyramid Head - especially in that scene where Pyramid Head gets into the closet with James and they both grab their heads in pain when the sirens start. Also, I admit, I was surprised to see Abstract Daddy, but I wasn't too into the fact that he only shows for a few seconds then poofs.
Going back into Hollywood, I can tell y'all right now that I did NOT like Mary basically having Angela and Laura as extensions of herself. As my wife said, "it's okay to have different characters!" I wasn't too on board with Laura *actually* being in Silent Hill (as opposed to James), and Angela's place felt a little weird and out of focus - but having her be Mary when Abstract Daddy showed up was... strange. I didn't like it rofl ALSO! They gave Mary *so many names*, but it's like no one cared that her maiden name in the games is actually 'Shepard' (instead of going Hollywood and naming her Mary Laura Angela Crane).
Costumes were so-so haha I felt they were very appropriate, especially with Mary being shown wearing so many flowers. I thought James' outfits were appropriate too; Laura's felt out of place lol. Other than Maria's GODAWFUL wig, I also liked her outfit! My other vice is James' FAKE ASS BEARD in the hotel flashback LOL like wtf it's so bad hahaha
I wish some other characters got screentime, like all we see Eddie do is kick James and leave LOL I always felt his character was so terrifingly REAL in the games, it would've been nice to see him do more. I'm glad they kept Maria's first death, but like Eddie, it would've been nice to see her come back because of James' fucked up perception of reality.
THE MUSIC!!! Of COURSE the music was good, it's Akira Yamaoka! There were tracks from SH2/SH3/SH4, and I even caught 'Madcap Descent' from the Remake. I kept jamming out to all the tracks, it was so good haha We didn't get a new track from Mary Elizabeth McGlynn but that's okay, her music was in the movie regardless. I'm surprised they didn't use Promise Reprise at all, considering that track came from SH2? I feel like they had a few opportunities for it lol
I knew they were going to hit hard with the cult, seeing as how it was so prominent in the earlier movies. One fucked up but awesome visual were the cult members covering themselves in Mary's blood. It was very Hollywood, the cult and their involvement in Silent Hill, but whateves. Wasn't too into that but I get why they did it lol The moment Mary alluded to the cult I was like, dammit lmao
THE ENDING I'm SO GLAD they used the In Water ending, as well as using the loop theory haha I really, *really* wished they used the VHS tapes to showcase Mary's death (a I thought they were! with focus on the tapes earlier in the movie), but I understand that that wouldn't have worked with James' guilt because of Mary requesting to be killed. Her illness brought on by the cult felt rushed, especially since in the games it was such a crucial part of her character dying.
SO MUCH of the story was changed, and I get that it's Hollywood, but still! If you're a fan of horror movies I don't think you'd really be that big into this movie (my mom, who is a huge horror buff, was so confused on many aspects of this movie lol). I know to some sensitive fans the changed plot isn't worth the watch, and that's fine lol. Check it out if you'd like, but don't go in expecting much~
Done lol
