REVIEW

Movie Review: Mirrors

Written by Derek Fleek
Published August 18, 2008

While it doesn't quite do for mirrors what Jaws did for the water, Mirrors might have some effect on you the next time you use the bathroom.

A retired cop named Ben Carson (Kiefer Sutherland) discovers that mirrors are steadily killing people and gaining their souls. That's pretty much it. Yep, it's that simple. Nothing complicated, nothing to think about, just enjoy the time spent watching mirrors inflict physical and mental pain.

It's a movie with a whole lot of unintentional laughter, a silly premise, and features Kiefer Sutherland walking around aimlessly sporting a flashlight most of the time. However, if your similar to the crowd I was with, you'll jump, you'll laugh, you'll scream, and you'll walk away more satisfied with it than most recent Asian horror remakes. I personally wasn't scared, but it does have a few moments worthy of a look and the majority of the audience seemed frightened.

Kiefer Sutherland doesn't do quite as well as I thought he would, but was still sufficiently engaging throughout. Director Alexandre Aja never tops High Tension, but creates a much more pleasant and entertaining film than The Hills Have Eyes and P2. If you enjoy Alexander Aja and are familiar with his work, you might be a little disappointed in the fact that it seems like he holds back on the gore with the exception of one jaw-dropping scene involving Amy Smart. This hideous scene is the moment everyone will be talking about.

The camera work was stylish, other than the sketchy end sequence involving a battle with the captured soul of a nun, and the majority of the time I enjoyed myself. Mirrors just might be the most entertaining Asian horror film I have seen, topping The Grudge and The Ring by a hefty margin. Never once does that familiar long, dark-haired Asian lady show up. I am sure everyone has had their fair share of her, who is used in just about every Asian horror movie.

Take your date to this one. A couple of flashy images, a few around-the-corner jumps, a sexy-looking Paula Patton, and a nifty twist ending won me over. But keep in mind, waiting for DVD would probably be the sufficient thing to do.

Derek Fleek is an online movie critic and promoter of the site Popcorn Monsters. His favorite genres are horror (modern and classic), comedy horror, and occasionally a good drama. His favorite movie is Pulp Fiction and his favorite director is Quentin Tarantino. You can find more movie reviews at his website.
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Movie Review: Mirrors
Published: August 18, 2008
Type: Review
Section: Video
Filed Under: Review, Video: Horror
Writer: Derek Fleek
Derek Fleek's BC Writer page
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#1 — August 18, 2008 @ 11:48AM — Jen [URL]

Thanks for the info. It was fascinating-- the studio didn't offer us a press screening of it last week so all the critics were wondering what the deal was with that since usually, it's a sign they're not the most comfortable with their "product." :)

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