Dead Silence

March 23, 2007: Movie Review

There is a certain protocol to making horror films these days. The script should be simple, the actors should be somewhat unknown, and there has to be a twist. Dead Silence sure followed these guidelines and then some. It is your standard scary movie that follows the same plot line as any other movie of its type, with the addition of a vendetta seeking ventriloquist and her possessed dummies.

Newlywed Jaime Ashen, played by Ryan Kwanten, is forced to go back to his hometown, Raven's Fair, in search for answers regarding his wife's brutal murder. Her death is similar to other homicides that occured in Raven's Fair; all the victims' tongues were ripped out of their mouths. Jaime suspicions point to Mary Shaw, the star of an old ghost story he knew as a child.

Mary Shaw is known throughout the town of Raven's Fair as the talented ventriloquist who was accused of murdering a young boy and in turn was hunted down by people of the town. For revenge, her tongue was ripped just before she was brutally murdered. The old tale says that Mary Shaw came back to kill those who had been involved with her death, as well as their families. The film follows Jaime as he uncovers secrets about the town and Mary Shaw.

The plot is somewhat creative but the film is not nearly as bloody as one would hope especially knowing that the writer and director of the film created the film series, Saw. The special effects used throughout the movie try to make it more eerie but they become repetitive and ultimately take away from the already creepy story-line. The script is cliche and the acting is terrible but that is to be expected from movies of this genre.

The bottomline is, if you like cheesy horror flicks, or even if you like to have a good laugh at them, this movie is for you. Don't expect a dazzling cast or award winning directing on this one. The only thing that can be anticipated is a good ghost story fit to scare all the neighborhood children.

~Brittni Liyanage ("Buzz" Reviewer)