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Created Dec 22, 2009 08:29AM PST • Edited Dec 22, 2009 08:29AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Very Good 3.5

   It seems a lot of people don’t like this movie, which is understandable. I think how it says “From the writers and director of Saw”, it throws people off. James Wan, director of Saw, made a movie here that didn’t have much blood or violence. When people think of Saw, they think horrific bloody torture, and that’s what they expect out of Dead Silence. (I’ll admit I was hoping for that, too) Dead Silence is more a showcase of what James Wan can do other than Saw films, and I’ve gotta say, he’s not that bad. This movie is a bit cliche, but most cliche movies aren’t as thought through. I could tell he put effort into taking away as many cliches as possible. Also, I commend him for taking a big step away from the Saw franchise- this movie is absolutley NOTHING like Saw (even though there’s a Saw puppet hidden in the movie- try to find it) except for an unforgettable twist ending, just like in his other works. Of all the crap horror movies of the past couple of years, this is pretty good. Sadly, though, I’m giving this an additional .5 just because of the ending. Otherwise this would be a 3.

4. Acting

   Very Good 3.5

   The acting is nothing big. I was happy that they didn’t cast teen actors, since that would’ve ruined it. The lead, Ryan Kwanten, was pretty average, and delivered his lines well, considering horror movies these days. Michael Fairman, who played Henry, acted was good for such little screen time. The old lady, Joan Heney, acted pretty “creepy old lady who knows something” but at least did a good job at it.

5. Male Stars Very Good 3.5

6. Female Stars Very Good 3.5

7. Female Costars Great 4.0

8. Male Costars Very Good 3.5

10. Film

    Very Good 3.5

    James Wan did a good job with this movie. He included a crazy twist ending that was anything but predictable. This was a good step away from Saw, and I hope once the Saw franchise is over, that he does more movies like these. The dialogue was pretty much like any other ghost story, but it was delivered pretty well. The music sounded a lot like the Saw theme song, which I forgive, but it would have been nice to hear something completely different. The visuals were very well done- they didn’t show the dead bodies long enough for you to start making fun of them or say they look stupid.

11. Direction Great 4.0

12. Play Very Good 3.5

13. Music Very Good 3.5

14. Visuals Great 4.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 1.7

    Most of the actual violene itself is implied, but you see the aftermath- dead bodies that looks pretty greusome. Other than that, theres no profanity or sexual content.

17. Sex Innocent 1.0

18. Violence Brutal 3.0

19. Rudeness Polite 1.0

21. Reality

    Surreal 2.3

    This movie is about a ghostly spirit trying to silence the people that killed her. Dolls move on their own. It’s pretty far from reality, but it was done in a way that it felt real.

22. Circumstantial Fantasy 5.0

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Natural 1.0