Silent Hill: Revelation

The story is confusing; it seems that just about every bit of dialogue in Silent Hill: Revelation that isn’t a blood curdling scream, guttural groan or maniacal laugh is pure exposition designed to keep the audience up to date on what the heck is happening. (They don’t even really bother with why). While that might sound like a huge problem, it’s actually the perfect match for the wild images that writer/director Michael J. Bassett throws up on the screen. Silent Hill: Revelation isn’t one of those thinking man’s horror movies, and it certainly isn’t one of those gutless PG-13 ‘horror’ movies designed to separate pre-pubescent ticket buyers from their parents’ money. It’s a full-on, visceral thrill eye that uses 3D technology to throw buckets of blood and gore at the audience with gleeful abandonment. Thanks to Bassett and his collaboration with cinematographer Maxime Alexandre, not to mention a high octane special effects team, there are images Silent Hill: Revelation that will haunt you long after you leave the theater, from the brutality of the sexy/sadistic/blind nurses in the hospital operating room to the hilariously eerie mannequin spider to the hauntingly beautiful image of the ash from the burning town falling across the 3D screen like snow. It’s a hell of a ride.