Until it loses its head in the final reel, [this] is a cool supernatural thriller that subtly mixes Western style and Eastern mysticism.
The Eye (2003)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:100
Fresh:64
Rotten:36
Average Rating:6.1/10
Consensus: Conventional ghost tale with a few genuine scares.
Runtime: 1 hr 39 mins
Genre: Horror/Suspense
Synopsis: THE EYE, directed by twin brothers Danny and Oxide Pang, is a Chinese/Thai horror film that focuses on Mun (Sin-je Lee), a cornea-transplant recipient who has been blind most of her life. As Mun... THE EYE, directed by twin brothers Danny and Oxide Pang, is a Chinese/Thai horror film that focuses on Mun (Sin-je Lee), a cornea-transplant recipient who has been blind most of her life. As Mun adjusts to her newfound sight, she begins to see haunting visions of dead people. As these terrifying visions become more frequent, Mun turns to a young psychiatrist, Dr. Wah (Lawrence Chou), for help. Eventually the two track the identity of the deceased eye donor to Thailand, and there the mystery is finally brought to light. With THE EYE, the Pang brothers enter the increasingly populated subgenre of contemporary Asian horror. Drawing on the visual language of recent Japanese films such as RING and PULSE, as well as Hollywood films THE SIXTH SENSE and STIR OF ECHOES, this chilling tale implies more than it reveals, building a deep sense of dread, even from the opening credits. Although the "I-see-dead-people" plotline has been investigated numerous times, THE EYE manages to put a different lens on the idea through subtleties in the story and the charismatic performance of the radiant Sin-je Lee. Featuring scenes that will make all viewers wary of elevators, hospital recovery wards, and calligraphy, this film offers truly startling moments that will linger in the mind's eye for a long time. [More]
Starring: Sin-je Lee, Laurence Chou, Chutcha Rujinanon, Candy Lo
Starring: Sin-je Lee, Laurence Chou, Chutcha Rujinanon, Candy Lo, Edmund Chen, Pierre Png
Director: Danny Pang, Oxide Pang
Director: Danny Pang, Oxide Pang
Screenwriter: Jo Jo Hui Yuet Chun, Danny Pang, Oxide Pang
Producer: Lawrence Cheng
Composer: Orange Music
Studio: Palm Pictures
Reviews for The Eye
While this sampler of dreams and sense memory resembles dark clouds on a horizon, it never reaches critical mass.
Along with the smudgy visuals, the first part of the movie goes heavy on the shock cuts and sudden loud noises -- effective interruptions in a narrative that leans toward the quiet and introspective.
The overall visual imagery is terrifically effective, unsettling and eerie, yet darkly beautiful at the same time.
Seeing dead people? A jarring journey from darkness into light? Granted, it's been done. But there are sweet, difficult pleasures here just the same.
It's a definite display of talent, but without enough thematic richness to get deeply under our skins.
This Eye won't give your own peepers back to you for 98 armrest-clenching minutes.
Despite its flaws, this occasionally creepy film possesses unusual beauty and style.
To put all the pieces in place, the Pangs have to cut a few corners in logic, but the story is generally effective if not exactly original.
The Coens have often been accused of coldness toward their characters, but the verve and wit of their films reveal genuine compassion and heart. Based on the evidence of this film, the Pangs aren't quite there yet.
If you can picture a horror movie made by the producers of Touched by an Angel, you have an idea of The Eye.
If you're looking for a scary summer movie, keep searching. Or wait for the remake: Tom Cruise has bought the rights.
It is occasionally unnerving, but slack pacing keeps the tension from mounting too high.
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