Based on the 2002 Hong Kong horror movie, “The Eye” stars Jessica Alba as the recipient of a cornea transplant that restores her sight, but with the added superpower of being able to see the dead spirits that walk the streets with us.
The original movie was relatively popular in Hong Kong, though it only got mediocre reviews when it came over to North America. I never saw it, so I’m not in a position to judge whether or not the remake succeeds in comparison.
It definitely feels like a Jessica “I’m a serious actress now” Alba vehicle, with plenty of closeups and moments for her to act out the emotions neccessary: shock, surprise, fright and horror. As the AV Club reviewed:
When it comes to horror movies, I’m heavily polarized… I prefer the atmosphere of dread and tension, built up over the length of the movie (captured perfectly by “Ringu” and “Deep Red”) as opposed to the easy scares: a quick cut to something unexpectedly frightening.
Luckily for me, “The Eye” is a true Hollywood horror. The scares are easily predictable, thanks to the deep bass rumbling that precedes the appearance of a ghost, and the directors make Alba start spinning around, to ensure that she”l be startled by something. I brace myself, look away from the centre of the screen, and, yes, a ghost just lunged at Alba, causing her to spill some salt.
One of the most fascinating elements of the film is the original premise… Alba’s character was blind her entire life. Then, suddenly, she’s granted sight. How does a person, used to perceiving the world with one less sense, get used to the overload of information?
It’s a short chapter of the movie, rushed by, but it easily could have been fleshed out to be stronger. Is Alba seeing ghosts, or is her mind creating vivid hallucinations?
In fact, I’d be delighted to see Alba’s character come to term with simple concepts. The colour blue, for example. Imagine, upon seeing blue, if she felt disappointed… perhaps in her mind, blue has a different sound than the visual image she sees?
“The Eye” moves on quickly from these ideas, and gets down to more scares and Alba posing in scenes that take advantage of her cheerfully pretty face and her slender, delicious figure. Asked about her character in the movie, Alba responded: I don’t know what she’s talking about.
“The Eye” has plenty of chills and scares to make you jump from your seat, spraying popcorn everywhere. At the tail end of the Sydney summer, it’s a good idea to keep your blood pumping with the thought of vengeful ghosts and Jessica Alba – this safe, predictable horror will certainly separate you from your $15, a thought that chills me more than any number of ghosts.
I say:
It tries to escape the cliche of Hollywood horror by taking on an Asian remake, but “The Eye” still falls short, ultimately, even down to the satisfying, feel-good ending, a classic signature of the Hollywood adaptation.
See it for:
This is the Jessica Alba show, so you might as well love it. She showers in one scene, which is nice, but when she’s sitting in pajamas, eating ice cream on her couch, that’s my best ‘awww’ moment. Cute as a button.
For more movies like The Eye (2008) visit Hurawatch.
Also watch: