Movie Review: Mirrors - Page 2

At the heart of our story is Ben Carson (Kiefer Sutherland, looking for work in during the long 24 break). Carson is an ex-cop who had killed a fellow law enforcement officer in the line of duty. This tragic event has sent his life into a downward spiral; he is off the force, living with his sister, Angela (Amy Smart), after becoming estranged from his wife Amy (Paula Patton). He has found solace in the bottom of a bottle, which does not help matters. However, he is working through his issues, even taking a new job as a night watchman at a burned out department store that has the distinctive feature of being filled with mirrors. Now, we all know what that means. That's right... trouble.

Ben spends his nights walking the creepy halls of the husk, filled with debris left over from the fire, including those impeccably polished mirrors. Trouble begins one night when the mirrors begin to reflect things that are not happening: doors opening, fires burning, people dying, the usual. The images take a dangerous turn when they show things happening to Ben, where he feels them, despite the fact that they are not real.

These images seem to be telling him something, leading him somewhere, but it is a mysterious package from his predecessor (seen in that opening sequence) that kick starts the mystery of the mirrors. What is causing them to do what they do, what do they want, and can the killing be stopped? Good questions all, and all that will be answered, however unsatisfactorily.

As Ben digs further into the mystery of the mirrors, the images become increasingly violent, going so far as to target Ben's loved ones. This is the last straw. When those Ben cares about become victims of the mirrors that can only mean one thing: the mirrors must be stopped at all costs.

This journey from the start of the mystery through the conclusion takes so many leaps that it is hard to understand the whys and hows of what is happening. Everything points back to the style over substance that is the true heart of Mirrors. Events happen in rapid succession and flow by at such a pace that you are not given much time to connect the dots, but I assure you that when you reflect on the film you be left at a loss as to how everything goes together.

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Article Author: Chris Beaumont

Christopher Beaumont spends much of his time writing about music and movies when he isn't indulging in them. He is always ready to talk about his favorite form of entertainment and offer up recommendations. Follow: Twitter and Tumblr. Visit: Critical Outcast. …

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