MIRRORS (2008)

Directed By: Alexandre Aja
Written By: Alexandre Aja & Gregory Levasseur
Based On the Film INTO THE MIRROR Written By: Sung-Ho Kim
Cinematography By: Maxime Alexandre
Editor: Baxter

Cast: Kiefer Sutherland, Paula Patton, Amy Smart, Mary Beth Peil, Cameron Boyce, Jason Flemyng

An ex-cop and his family are the target of an evil force that is using mirrors as a gateway into their home.

I believe Alexandre Aja is a talented director. HAUTE TESION was great except for it’s questionable ending. P2 was better than it should have been. Even PIARHANA 3d was no embarrassment as it could have been a lot worse look at it’s straight to dvd sequel. He seems to waste his time making a film that probably didn’t need to be made. I question if it was that this was the best script he could find in the horror genre or was he confident that he could make this script credible with his talents. I appreciate his modern sensibilities with a European taste, but he need to work on material that can make more of an impact on it’s own merits. Here he feels like a director for hire who did the best he can with the material.

What’s worse is that he co-writes this script as well as his other films from the past. Here he seems to shoot himself in the foot. He needs to collaborate with someone who has a vivid macabre imagination Maybe Eli Roth. Here with this film it feels like he hit a wall in his creativity. I would have accepted him adapting a short horror story.

Here he remakes a horror film from South Korea. He didn’t really need to make it even if there haven’t been a lot of people who saw the original. This films is really stretching for credibility that I haven’t seen so much desperation since ONE MISSED CALL the remake

While there is plenty of horrific violence and gore there is no real story to support it. In fact the plot seems so far fetched it is hard to even really get into the film. Sure there is a mood created. The scenes buildup a certain tension, But it is so outrageous I’s hard to believe what is going on half the time.

The film was originally scripted as a straightforward remake of the 2003 South Korean horror film Into The Mirror. However, once Alexandre Aja was brought on board and read the script, he was dissatisfied with the particulars of the original film's story. He decided to retain the original film's basic idea involving mirrors, and to incorporate a few of its scenes, but change the story dramatically.

This movie is disappointing majorly. There is gore in maybe 2 or 3 three scenes. Only one scene in which it is used is shocking. --The film loves to thrust the audience through long dark hallways that lead to little or no payoff. It tries the children in peril cliché way too often. I am guessing to try and keep you awake towards the second half of the movie where it becomes more thriller then horror. The film also adds the lovely Paula Patton in the cast in mostly cleavage flashing tops. Which seems to define her role here as vital, but ultimately eye-candy. That’s not entirely complaint. She was cast because director Alexandre Aja and producer Gregory Lavasseur had previously considered her for their production P2.

When the movie begins it feels like it takes forever to start with the actual plot. I understand the director wants to flesh out the lead character and his situation and relationships. It’s not like his story is something new or something we can pick up on rather quickly without it being explained detail by detail. So we don’t need that much time setting it up this isn’t a drama. Then when the action does start, the film seems to want it only for shock value not a a necessity. It only succeeds once, but the film keeps trying to do it.

I like the cast especially Kiefer Sutherland. Who is usually solid in leading man roles. Which is what saves the film from failing totally. The ending is stupid and makes no sense. When everything is explained it still feels weak and stupid. Leaving the audience with so many questions that are left unanswered. That you don’t want them to bother with a sequel to answer them (Unfortunately they did) with none of the original cast or masterminds behind the scenes returning

Skip It

GRADE: D