The draw of Horror films has always somewhat perplexed me. Why are they so wildly popular? Is it the adrenaline rush you get as you watch the blonde bimbo try to run and despite all her best efforts eventually get mauled? Or perhaps we all long for someone to pop up in the mirror’s reflection after we look away for but a moment? Whatever the case the fact is horror movies have a set repertoire of tricks. Dead Silence, granted, uses most of the tricks – but unfortunately it only does so well every once in awhile. No, this film is no example of mastery or ingenuity – but it does cash in on one factor: people are creeped out by ventriloquist dummies. Amen brother.
The story goes as follows: Jamie Ashen (Ryan Kwanten) and his wife Ella (Amber Valletta) receive a late night package containing a rather creepy looking dummy. Well, as can be expected, it’s not long before terrrrrrrrrrible things start happening. People start dropping dead left and right and no one has any idea what’s going on – except that it has something to do with a dummy. Unfortunately for Jamie, “the dummy did it” is no longer a legally accepted defense and an investigation into his involvement in the brutal tongue stealing killings begins. With Detective Jim Lipton (Donnie Wahlberg) on the case Jamie’s time to solve the mystery is running out. As he searches for answers he consults his estranged father Edward Ashen (Bob Gunton) and his cradle-robbed wife Laura only to get one clue: a nursery rhyme.
“Beware the stare of Mary Shaw.
She has no children, only dolls.
If you see her in your dreams,
Be sure you never, ever scream or
She’ll rip your tongue out at the seam.”
Such cryptic comfort for the young, no? While the story doesn’t involve a lot of unexpected plot twists, the ending is rather clever. Beyond that, get ready for a few truckloads of dummies and old hags popping up (un)expectedly and rather suddenly.
DVD Bonus Features
The DVD's extras include deleted and alternate scenes. The proposed alternate opening is better in my opinion, but the ending was simply too satisfying to change. The rest of the extras are interesting only if you reaallllllly got into the film. The ‘Evolution of a Visual FX’ may be interesting still, since the ‘dead silent’ sequences are somewhat fun to watch and listen to.
As you would expect from a Horror flick – the acting is nothing special and the dialogue…well it only has any snap at all when Wahlberg is on the screen. Beyond that Dead Silence is merely your typical horror fare with dummies. Maybe dummies are your thing. There hasn’t been a good dummie movie since the original Chucky flicks (but even then it was hard not too laugh).
"Dead Silence" is on sale March 16, 2007 and is rated R. Horror. Directed by James Wan. Written by Leigh Whannell, James Wan. Starring Amber Valletta, Bob Gunton, Donnie Wahlberg, Ryan Kwanten.
