Scary movies are usually a great excuse to get close to that special someone, but "Silent Hill" is more likely to tear two lovers apart. In the few minutes following this film it was impossible not to notice how a fiendishly gruesome Playstation adaptation can pronounce the gender gap. With a story ranging from convoluted to, at times, confusing, this one succumbs to the same successes and pitfalls that videogame narratives so often do. My fellow males may want to save this one for guys' night out.

Viewers are told that the ghost town of Silent Hill has been haunted ever since a coal fire burned out of control 30 years earlier. Who wouldn't assume that our heroine's only option to relieve her daughter's night-tremor obsession with the place will be to bring her there one cold, rainy night? That sort of ill-advised decision can only be found in a horror flick.

Luckily for the audience, the film relies more on imagery than logical suspense. If the director would have used one more fade to black or white to get Rose (Radha Mitchell, "Finding Neverland") out of insurmountable trouble, it is likely viewers couldn't have continued forgiving him with a laugh and a smile. It is probably better to avoid creating even more confusion by attempting to explain the twist that keeps getting her into those situations. However, those of you who haven't played the game or don't know the premise ahead of time are unlikely to find the payoff satisfying.

Most negativity aside, the few things "Silent Hill" does well make it one of a kind. The camera moves so eerily and immaculately through the scenes it is clear director Christophe Gans has a great deal of respect for the game itself and the horror genre in general. Never has a videogame adaptation captured the essence of immediacy so well. While most of Rose's energy is spent running from one room to another, the utter repugnance of the beasts she runs from would make anybody do the same. Who can honestly admit they haven't found themselves furious at a character whose lethargy is their demise?

The majority of the moans from the crowd were caused by pure disgust. From multiplication of enemies to a demon manifested in a little girl's body, the script is well aware of what makes humans cringe. One has to admit that a huge creature wielding a 10-foot steak knife sounds outright awesome. And don't forget he also had an army of oversized roaches at his side. Not everybody will get into seeing such images as a woman having her skin ripped clean from her body and being thrown into a wall, but it certainly turns heads (either toward or away from the screen depending on your level of impudence). One can't help but be curious of what might show up from shot to shot — and that has to count for something.

Unfortunately "Silent Hill" falls victim to the same poorly written dialogue and bad acting that plague similar movies and games that have come before it. Though Cybil's (Laurie Holden, "Fantastic Four") role doesn't quite compare to Bob Hoskins gem of a performance as Mario Mario in "Super Mario Bros.," she certainly tries her best. "Something terrible happened here," seems a rather obvious statement an hour into her visit to the hell that is the Hill. One would hope that line could be considered more of a writing mishap than a delivery problem, but she doesn't even manage to do the writers credit by giving it the sort of excited cheesiness gamers are accustomed to (think "Jill, the master of unlocking things").

As a means to an end the narrative is more adequate than it is efficient. It becomes so bogged down in details that the characters have to spend a great deal of time explaining what we may or may not have already assumed. Everyone seems to have his or her own opinion and back-story and isn't afraid to spell it out to each person they meet. Then again, would you expect anything different from a story that was ported from game console to film?

All that being said, don't let any overlying negativity deter you from seeing "Silent Hill." It has lasting and memorable visual style that is certain to keep most fans' eyes glued to the screen. When it comes to horrifying people it knows its place. Gore and blood are abound in this one, and thankfully so. If it weren't for those elements, this film wouldn't be likely to peak anybody's interest.

One final warning for potential viewers: if you are looking for a night of action, expect to get it in the theatre, because you won't be getting any back home.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Starring:

Radha Mitchell, Sean Bean

Playing at:

Marcus Point Cinemas, University Square Theatres