Silent Hill Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Silent Hill Blu-ray Movie Review

Video game adaptations aren’t easy to master, forcing filmmakers to invent ways of taking a participatory experience and changing it to a passive viewing event. Many of these productions have failed, but for most gamers, 2006’s “Silent Hill” stands out as the rare success story, with director Christophe Gans and screenwriter Roger Avary trying to master a specific approach that respects the exploratory origins of the original games, transferring that sense of mystery and approaching malevolence to the big screen. There’s undeniable artistry to the movie, with Gans lovingly detailing this world with surreal touches and ultraviolence, trying to craft atmospheric immersion without resorting to cheap scares. However, such attention to the specifics of gaming delights results in a largely inert picture, and one that has major issues with dreadful dialogue, disappointing performances, and stabs at exposition that are not inclusive to those who haven’t spent weeks of their lives in front of a television, mastering this macabre maze of blurring realities.

Silent Hill Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation marks the return of "Silent Hill" to Blu-ray after its initial 2006 release. While not billed as a remaster, clarity is strong overall, providing a textured look at powerhouse visuals, securing gruesome particulars with monsters and grimy interiors. Exteriors retain depth and intended mystery. Colors retain their sickly origin with appreciable brightness, offering macabre hues that favor fiery oranges and cold steel. Costumes are a bit livelier, along with town tours. Greenery is vivid. Delineation is acceptable, dealing with crude visual effects at times. Source is in strong shape.

Silent Hill Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix delivers a hearty sense of horror, with "Silent Hill" often turning to pure sound to create its nightmare realm. Dialogue exchanges are sharp, detailing performance choices and rising panic with the town tourists. Music is equally crisp, with distinct piano accompaniment and fuller soundtrack selections. Surrounds are active, contributing a few panning effects (car movement is common) and a full feel for the various environments, while atmospherics are active, exploring heavy rainfall, cavernous rooms, and ashy outdoors. Sound effects are loud, with monster attacks jolting. Low-end sustains some violent poundings, offering rumble to the listening event.

Silent Hill Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features cinematographer Dan Laustsen.

• Interview (HD) with Christophe Gans is divided into three chapters. "The Origin of Silence" (26:01) tracks Gans's pride in his French upbringing, enjoying the beauty of local cinema, but also interested in American film. With "Necronomicon," Gans was able to make his way into the North American industry, growing comfortable with Canadian locations, which would carry over to his next effort, "Crying Freeman." He recalls the changing times of the movie industry, and his work on "The Brotherhood of the Wolf," which gave him the necessary hit to help make "Silent Hill." Gans recalls his first interactions with the Playstation and "Silent Hill" the game, with the self-proclaimed "pop culture freak" delighted with the design of the work, inspiring him to bring nightmare realms to the screen. Joined by producer Samuel Hadida, Gans was able to secure permission to make "Silent Hill," beating the Weinsteins and Tom Cruise by using his fandom to charm the rights holder. In "Adapting a True Work of Art" (21:21), Gans discusses his mission to interact with the fan base, working very hard to make a proper adaptation, but also remaining mindful of newcomers. He highlights compromises with the studio, including the addition of Sean Bean's character. Influences are important to the helmer, who turned to surrealist paintings to define the look of the feature. In "Delivering a Nightmare" (24:50), the director admits he went out of his way to hire professionals from Guillermo del Toro's "Mimic" to collaborate with, while he selected a mix of film and digital to create the look of "Silent Hill." Set construction is noted, along with the temptation of CGI. The Super 8 sequence is analyzed, and there's an overview of the final cut, with Gans claiming there was no studio interference. Sequel talk concludes the interview, with Gans quickly dropping out of Hadida's plans to make an action- oriented follow-up.

• "A Tale of Two Jodelles" (26:03, HD) sits down with actress Jodelle Ferland, who tries to recall her early years of performance, getting into the business with help from her mother at the tender age of two. Commercial work helped her with experience, also using her Canadian upbringing to secure jobs in Vancouver. Ferland discusses her delight with scary movie role, while her casting in "Silent Hill" wasn't dependent on her being a gamer, having never played the title before. The interviewee shares memories of Gans and her co-stars, and details the challenge of playing multiple roles. Production memories are brief but numerous, including her time with all the monsters of the film. While approached for the "Silent Hill" sequel, Ferland never heard back from the producers, and she also shares her delight with fandom, coming into contact with costumed admirers at conventions.

• "Dance of the Pyramid" (36:34, HD) chats with movement coordinator Roberto Campanella, who recounts his troubled childhood in Rome, with dance training saving his life, giving him the focus and discipline he needed. Success with dance brought him to the National Ballet of Canada and time spent helping figure skater Kurt Browning choreograph his routines. Hired for "Silent Hill" as a movement coordinator, Campanella soon found himself in multiple roles, including the Red Pyramid, which required intense care with makeup and footwear, along with blindness caused by a massive helmet. Reflections on Gans and his giving directorial style are offered, along with a detailing of the actor's participation in "Silent Hill: Revelations." Campanella closes with reflections on the picture's fans and his pride in the work.

• Interview (HD) with makeup effects artist Paul Jones is divided into two parts. "Monster Man" (30:44) tracks the beginning of his curiosity with creating special effects, with childhood interests in moviemaking and art, while industry influences offered him a clear creative path. Work with Bob Keen changed Jones's life, giving the young man a job and instilling him with the confidence to become part of the team, though the interviewee makes it clear the business side of makeup life is nothing but trouble. Jones walks through his resume, sharing BTS tales from "Hellraiser III," "FX: The Series," "Nightbreed," "Blade," and "Ginger Snaps." "Silent Hill" (25:34) reunites Jones with his most beloved job, discussing his time with Gans and the need to maneuver around a tight pre-production schedule. Specific monster designs are analyzed, along with their assorted challenges, with Jones sharing a few humorous anecdotes about pairing actors with makeup they weren't used to. A discussion of his cameo (as a miner), first impressions of the film, time on the sequel, and advice to his younger self are also included.

• "Path to Darkness" (SD) is the original 2006 making-of for "Silent Hill," divided into "Origins" (8:53), "Casting" (10:15), "Set Design" (10:25), "Stars and Stunts" (7:51), "Creatures Unleashed" (12:38), and "Creature Choreography" (11:37).

• "On-Set" (14:29, SD) and "Around the Film (4:39, SD) are two featurettes from the original EPK.

• Photo Gallery (7:01) collects publicity shots, film stills, and BTS snaps.

• Poster Gallery (3:21) displays international art.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:27, HD) is included.

Silent Hill Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

If you adore "Silent Hill," more power to you, as Shout Factory successfully revisits the title, boosting the supplements with informative, lengthy interviews and vintage making-ofs. It's one stuffed package, aiming to delight those who appreciate Gans's concentration on the expanse and hellacious encounters found in the video game world.