Movie Review: White Noise - Page 2

The director shows us everything in a heavy handed manner, nothing is left to the viewer to figure out. He does manage to give us a number of very interesting to look at shots, but after awhile it just becomes too much. It's like a film student throwing everything has learned into a single film as a way to demonstrate that he can do it. On top of that, he relies too heavily on jump scares to build suspense, and anyone who has seen a good suspense film knows that is not the way to build tension in a viewer, it just gets them ready for the slower portions and prepare for the next jump. This is actually the first time I have seen a film that had jump scares incorporated into the opening credits!

The story is seriously flawed as well. The logic jumps that are made do not make much sense. For example, the supposed EVP expert who is following Keaton around just to tell him about EVP, why stalk him? Wouldn't it have been easier to call him, or knock on his door, anything. Another would be how quickly he buys into the phenomenon, it was not terribly realistic, and the film seems to imply that everyone is looking to contact the dead, which is completely unbelievable. Add to that the change in direction that it takes at the end involving malicious spirits, is just so out there as to throw out all that has come before.

The biggest issue would have to be playing by the rules. The film opens with an explanation of what EVP is, and then the film proper goes on to explain some of the rules, unfortunately it does not play by the rules, as explained, for the entire duration, This effectively throws out any internal reality that has built up.

Bottomline. There are a few things to like, the two leads for one, even if the script leaves them hanging, they do the best they can. The shots are rather nice as well, when they don't have that "look at me" quality to them. The underlying idea is a good one and deserves a better work up than White Noise can provide. Maybe someday.

Not Recommended.

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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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