Perhaps I enjoyed this movie more because I went into it with very, very, very low expectations. The plot and premise seemed flimsy and ridiculous, and even though I do like Jessica Alba, I wasn’t sure decent acting could save a plot that seemed so trite and boring. But partway through my opinion began to change. I decided this isn’t really a horror movie, not in the classical sense of what has taken over the horror genre (gore like Saw and Hostel). It’s a supernatural mystery with a bit of suspense, if you want to get long-winded and technical. Nothing about it was implicitly scary, but it was interesting and drew me along. I wanted to see the end, and not just to find out if I’d won the classic ‘guess who survives’ horror movie game.
Sure, the premise is implausible and the entire story is completely unbelievable, but it was an entertaining movie and was fun to watch. I don’t ask for realism in my movies (okay, not most of the time!), all I want is to be entertained and this movie, while neither greatly original nor brilliantly written, was enjoyable enough. Horror/suspense fans looking to pass an eventful evening would enjoy this one, but if you’re looking for more than that, don’t bother.
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Most of what I think about “The Eye” has already been said in the other reviews shown here.
My gripe is mainly with Hollywood. They are completely OUT of fresh ideas for cinema. The well has run dry, and now they’re trying to dip into the wells of their neighbors. What I mean by that is the latest trend of ripping off movie ideas from foreign cinema (much like Bollywood rips of Amercian films). “The Eye” is the American remake of a similar Asian film that apparently did well in the eastern markets, so it’s gotta do well over here. Right?
Wrong.
What other cultures find amusing, scary, offensive, etc. is not necessarily how our culture feels about the same material (ever seen what Russians consider comedy? Not funny at all; but maybe that’s just me).
Anywho, to understand what I mean, watch any of John Woo’s Hong Kong action films (The Killer, Hard Boiled) and then watch his Hollywood features (Broken Arrow, Face/Off). There is no comparsion. Woo’s Hong Kong films are gritty, real, down to earth, and in-your face. His Hollywood films are formulaic and prepackaged for the masses. That’s what happens when Hollywood gets its greedy little nubs on something.
My whole point is, this film is predictable, formulaic, and rehashed. It’s not something we haven’t seen before. Jessica Alba does OK with her role, but nothing award-winning to say the least.
If you are in love with Alba and simply cannot resist looking at her (who could blame you?), then this movie is definitely for you.
If not, skip it and rent something else.
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The ’08 film `The Eye’ starring the enchanting Jessica Alba is a better than expected remake of an Asian horror film of the same name. Yes, it does start out rat a rather slow pace and any horror fan will immediately notice the liberal borrowing from other horror/supernatural films that precede I such as; `Ghost’ and `The Sixth Sense’ it eventually discovers a personality of its own and rewards the patient viewer with an overall satisfying experience when all is said and done. Jessica Alba not only looks amazing but delivers a strong performance as the blind violinist and corona recipient that unexpectedly receives the ability to foresee death and disaster along her newfound sight.
Definitely not destined to be a classic but I enjoyed it; -3 ½ Stars-.
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Not entirely what I expected,
Perhaps I enjoyed this movie more because I went into it with very, very, very low expectations. The plot and premise seemed flimsy and ridiculous, and even though I do like Jessica Alba, I wasn’t sure decent acting could save a plot that seemed so trite and boring. But partway through my opinion began to change. I decided this isn’t really a horror movie, not in the classical sense of what has taken over the horror genre (gore like Saw and Hostel). It’s a supernatural mystery with a bit of suspense, if you want to get long-winded and technical. Nothing about it was implicitly scary, but it was interesting and drew me along. I wanted to see the end, and not just to find out if I’d won the classic ‘guess who survives’ horror movie game.
Sure, the premise is implausible and the entire story is completely unbelievable, but it was an entertaining movie and was fun to watch. I don’t ask for realism in my movies (okay, not most of the time!), all I want is to be entertained and this movie, while neither greatly original nor brilliantly written, was enjoyable enough. Horror/suspense fans looking to pass an eventful evening would enjoy this one, but if you’re looking for more than that, don’t bother.
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Here we go again…Hollywood got a hold of it,
Most of what I think about “The Eye” has already been said in the other reviews shown here.
My gripe is mainly with Hollywood. They are completely OUT of fresh ideas for cinema. The well has run dry, and now they’re trying to dip into the wells of their neighbors. What I mean by that is the latest trend of ripping off movie ideas from foreign cinema (much like Bollywood rips of Amercian films). “The Eye” is the American remake of a similar Asian film that apparently did well in the eastern markets, so it’s gotta do well over here. Right?
Wrong.
What other cultures find amusing, scary, offensive, etc. is not necessarily how our culture feels about the same material (ever seen what Russians consider comedy? Not funny at all; but maybe that’s just me).
Anywho, to understand what I mean, watch any of John Woo’s Hong Kong action films (The Killer, Hard Boiled) and then watch his Hollywood features (Broken Arrow, Face/Off). There is no comparsion. Woo’s Hong Kong films are gritty, real, down to earth, and in-your face. His Hollywood films are formulaic and prepackaged for the masses. That’s what happens when Hollywood gets its greedy little nubs on something.
My whole point is, this film is predictable, formulaic, and rehashed. It’s not something we haven’t seen before. Jessica Alba does OK with her role, but nothing award-winning to say the least.
If you are in love with Alba and simply cannot resist looking at her (who could blame you?), then this movie is definitely for you.
If not, skip it and rent something else.
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“I’m Going To Help You See The World As It Really Is” ~ Exploring the Possibility of Visions, Ghosts And Cellular Memory,
The ’08 film `The Eye’ starring the enchanting Jessica Alba is a better than expected remake of an Asian horror film of the same name. Yes, it does start out rat a rather slow pace and any horror fan will immediately notice the liberal borrowing from other horror/supernatural films that precede I such as; `Ghost’ and `The Sixth Sense’ it eventually discovers a personality of its own and rewards the patient viewer with an overall satisfying experience when all is said and done. Jessica Alba not only looks amazing but delivers a strong performance as the blind violinist and corona recipient that unexpectedly receives the ability to foresee death and disaster along her newfound sight.
Definitely not destined to be a classic but I enjoyed it; -3 ½ Stars-.
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