Seeing Is Not Always Believing (The Eye [2008] (DVD))

Member Name: topsyturvy

Product:	The Eye [2008] (DVD)
Date:	26/04/08 (76 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: good effects

Disadvantages: predictable

Since I am on a bit of a break, I have been getting up to date with the films that I have wanted to see but not had a chance to see yet. At the minute Jessica Alba seems to be in a lot of films, I recently reviewed 'Awake' which she was in but this was another different role for her, 'The Eye' it is only recently out but I decided I wanted to see it even though I wasn't really sure if I would like it or not as I have gone off horror films a bit. This film is a remake of a Japanese film as most horror films seem to be these days which always makes me a bit hesitant as I always feel the Japanese version is usually that bit better and that Hollywood ruins it but with not having seen the original to this I couldn't compare.

The film starts off with us being introduced to Sydney Wells (Jessica Alba), who has been playing violin since a young age and has become blind due to playing with fireworks when younger. Being older in her twenties, Sydney is now going to get eye surgery which should improve her sight and make her see again. Slowly being a bit blurry, she starts to slowly see things and she makes friends with a few of the other patients in the hospital. The only problem for Sydney is she unable to determine if what she is now seeing is real as she keeps having odd visions. She is seeing shadows and figures passing her by and sees a woman's body on the street while the same figure walks past her.

Sydney is confused about all of this as when she looks in the mirror she is not sure if she is really looking at herself. The plot is pretty basic really and with that quick synopsis it covers the main plot outlines that you need to know without going too in depth. With this film, I wasn't as pleased with it as I thought I would be. I had heard so many say it was really good but my opinion failed to live up to theirs. Yes, it was good but it wasn't great and I found it very predictable. The film didn't really pass quickly for me and at some points I was ready to give up. I feel it fits all of the typical horror clichés at the minute and was trying to be too jumpy to scare that it got a bit old.

Jessica Alba is an actress who I usually think is good and I am not saying she wasn't in this as she made it believable that she was blind which must be difficult. However, I don't understand why she chose this plot because even though it isn't in her usual genre it didn't really fit her well and not even she could make me like this film. She did play the part as best she could though and was convincing with the scenes of emotion but I prefer her in other films, even in 'Awake' it was a different role for her but she was much more convincing in it.

There were no other real main cast members other than Parker Posey who played her sister in this film but it again wasn't that memorable a role to me. The doctor in the film was probably the other main character, he was played by Alessandro Nivola and I do think he was good in the part and he was stronger towards the end.

My overall thoughts on this film would be to say go and see it if you really like American remakes of Japanese horror films. Also, if you do like horror films then this will be one for you but it wasn't really that scary to me. If you like Jessica Alba this might appeal but it is nothing like her usual roles so you might be disappointed if this is the viewing factor for you.

The film just came out this week so it is new out but if you have time to watch a film this weekend this might be an option for you. If you are still not really sure if this is one you want to watch then you might want to go to the official website http://www.theeyethefilm.com/

This film as I said is just out so is shown at all cinemas and is approximately 98 minutes long. It is also a 15 Certificate.

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