Dear Christophe Gans,
How are you doing? My name is Brad Rice, and I'm one of the writers here at Destructoid. Not only that, I'm also planning to go into the film industry once I'm out of college -- and so I feel I have a vested interest in video game movies. So, for my weekly column "Weekend Reading," I was hoping that I'd get the chance to get your attention regarding Silent Hill 2.
You did a good job on Silent Hill, really. Your direction in almost every aspect of your job was wonderful, and was very befitting of the whole thing. The only problem with the film, and what ultimately held it back from being a great film, was the fact that you had Roger Avary write the script. I paid attention to the extra features on the DVD and saw the interview with the man. Claiming that sticking to what happened in the game held him back? Dear Lord, when I heard that, I would've fired the man on the spot.
Everyone in your staff was so enthusiastic about the project, since you made them play the game -- which was ultimately a great decision. Avary utterly destroyed what made Silent Hill 2 (the game) special; he turned Pyramid Head from something that was a manifestation of James' guilt into something that was just a random bad guy with a large weapon. Blatant exposition that held the viewers' hands through interesting plot points, such as why the main character (it should've remained as James) was in Silent Hill to begin with. Seriously, cut out everything up to when Rose wakes up after the car crash, and the film instantly becomes a hell of a lot better.
Now I know that you're still in search of a writer for Silent Hill 2, and I must say that you cannot hire Roger Avary again. Really, I mean it. I've lost all respect for that man and his writing abilities. I remember the rumor about Neil Gaiman writing the script, and it'd be great if you actually worked with him to get it done. You really have to look at writers who can tell a good mystery story -- someone who can leave the audience in the dark enough so that they find out things as the main character does. I might suggest Brad Meltzer or Andrew Kevin Walker as possibilities. Hell, even I would write it -- I've played through the games, at least and am not afraid to stick to the story of the source material.
Now that brings me to this: what are you going to do about the story? The story of Silent Hill 2 is already done. The original Silent Hill certainly is a possibility, as it could have theoretically taken place in the same point and time as Silent Hill 2. Silent Hill 4 seems like it's too bizarre for viewers to follow at this point in time. You've got to hand them a good film before they will be able to accept a Silent Hill 4 movie. What about Silent Hill 3? Well, this is what I think the next Silent Hill movie could actually be.
Plenty of mystery exists within the game -- and only the barebones of the back story needs to be explained in order to keep the viewers in the loop. Just make sure you have the proper writer. If you have them slip in backstory through conversation, quick flashbacks, or some other subtle methods, then everything will go just fine.
I'm really trusting you to do a good job on Silent Hill 2. Please, I beg of you, put out one of the first video game movies that can be considered good by all.
Sincerely,
Brad Rice
brad[at]destructoid.com
Contest:
8:29 PM on 04.22.2007
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"Its all about the money..."
Gans did a really good job with Brotherhood of the Wolf but I do agree that the first Silent Hill fell on it's ass with the plot that seemed to cater to everyone but the gaming crowd who played the game.
I heard that Akira Yamaoka wanted the first movie to be a cast entirely comprised of women, that would have meant subtracting a lot of the side story that came with Sean Bean as the concerned husband. Here's to hoping that they can get it right.
(Yes, I know the whole deal with Avary & Tarantino film geeks)
I really enjoyed the first Silent Hill, but I do agree the writing was probably the weakest point. The pace could have tighten up a little too. For those interested, google Centralia, PA to find out about the partial inspiration of the film version of Silent Hill. Interesting, creepy stuff.
I think the fact that it has so many fans and defenders is very disturbing. You're confusing what might be a good game with what IS a terrible movie.
That comment right there is amazing. And, did Avary actually say that "sticking to what happened in the game held him back"? WTF? Its basically written there for you, you idiot.
Pro tip: Listen to DMV.
I just saw her in Tideland. What a disturbing film.
So much talent for someone so young ...
Again, many of you are comparing the movie to the game you enjoyed and can't fairly judge the movie on its own merits. I did not play the game, but saw the movie in theaters and was out right laughing by the end of it. It was worse than Van Helsing.
Rotten Tomatoes: Silent Hill
I am in the minority on this topic here, but as you can see, the vast majority of audiences and critics hated Silent Hill. I'd wager most of the users who ranked it higher were, again, fans of the game who let it color their experience.
Gans did a phenomenal job directing that movie, and to think he did his best to appease fans of the video games while knowing Avary was going the other way with the movie's script.
In horror, I have a huge issue with female leads, because you just KNOW their primary objective in the film is to scream while making the "pouty-scared face."
Take the new Hills Have Eyes movie for example. The shit was your run-of-the-mill snuffer until the guy with the glasses establishes himself with as the anti-hero halfway through the movie and starts rippin' shit up.
That's what horror should be about, son!
We need a James, or a Harry, or somebody who can hold their own during the course of the film.
the cinematography and dessign were the only interesting elements, gan's simply cant put together a compelling scene.
NOTHING was worse than Van Helsing. Not even movies with "Directed by Uwe Boll" in the credits.
Games are filled with crappy twists that stand in for character development and one-dimensional cyphers playing in contrived and cliche plots filled with dimestore psychology. It happens. Game stories need to feel instantly comfortable. As a screenwriter, I realize the vast difference of writing for a game and writing for a film. While you may criticize Avery's screenplay, the fact that you would offer to make it "more like the game" while honorable, is laughable. That's the last thing the next movie needs. Getting Neil Gaiman would be much better. He wouldn't be a slave to the material either. If anything, he would elevate it.
Oh, and there will never be a video game movie (or any movie adapted from another medium for that matter) that will be considered "good by all". Thinking there will be is naive. Changes will have to be made to adapt the story for the general audience. You know, the ones who never cared to, and probably will never care to, play Silent Hill. Those changes are most likely going to piss off hardcore fans of Silent Hill. It's bound to happen whether you like it or not.
considering the gore and comparison with basicly all other VG based movies, Silent Hill is the best shit ive seen out there.
Yea a little better acting could have made this phenomenal, but it did a good job, I mean compare SH with other scary movies like RE, Val hellzing or SMB. Idc what yall say, that friggin Yoshi and herpies mushroom scared the shit out of me, I never touched another SMB game ever again :(
Hey it kept me watching and I have to say, at least Uwe Boll didn't play any part in making this movie!
It's a shame 'cos Brotherhood Of The Wolf, was brilliant!
Dirk McV, you might want to read this, because the producer says he doesn't think Gans wants to direct SH2 since he's busy with another movie: Link