SCI FI PI

Released Nov 6
Director Alexandre Aja
Starring Keifer Sutherland, Amy Smart, Jason Flemyng
Rated MA



Oh... there's that good script for 24 I was looking for! What's it doing up there?


Mirrors has come under a bit of pummelling from critics on its release, and some may say, fair enough. But if you've got a soft spot for the films of Dario Argento, then this ghost story may just be one of your all-time faves.

Alexandre Aja is a Frenchman who has remade the original Korean film into something that looks very much like a cult movie. There are quite a few in-jokes for horror fans, as well as a general 'relish' for the genre which shows that someone who loves horror movies is behind the camera.

That said, if you 'don't get it' then this film will be something of a chore. Where horror fans will see delightful motifs, those less enamoured of the genre will see tired cliches. Where horror fans will see 'operatic' sequences, ordinary film goers will see a movie that just goes over the top.

By now, you're probably pretty sure where you sit on that particular fence, so plan your Mirrors viewing accordingly.



Can you spare a square?


For those of you still with us, here's the good oil.

First up, Keifer Sutherland. And it's not 'I'm a big star from 24' Keifer, it's the lean and hungry 'please give me a job' Keifer. As such, he is willing to do some pretty uncool things that take a lot of guts as an actor. He plays a cop who's on leave after an accidental shooting, and he has fallen apart. His wife has kicked him out, keeping the kids. He has tried to put alcoholism behind him, but it's been tough. But he's ready to restart his life - as a security guard in a burnt-out department store that's the subject of endless legal wrangling.

Problem is - well, you guessed it, the mirrors are haunted. And this brings into effect all sorts of cool things. One is that you can see bad stuff in the mirrors, but not in the real world, even though those bad things can kill you. And inside those mirrors lurks something pretty nasty.

As the film progresses, we find that the 'force' behind the mirrors wants something from Keifer, and that's when things get interesting in the traditional ghost story way. There is a mystery that has to be solved, and our man must solve it - or his family dies.

Obviously this is the fun of the movie, as well as the prerequisite scares and gory bits. People come to rather grisly ends - although to be fair, the images aren't relentlessly horrific in a Saw kind of way. Really, there's more beauty and drama than blood and guts to the visuals. It can be a bit on the nose, but it also can be simply a joy, if you're in the right mood. For those in the right mood, get ready to experience the rebirth of the expressionistic style of Dario Argento, as well as the campy humour of early Sam Raimi.

The film's ending is spectacular (as you'd expect with a room full of mirrors) but then the 'ending ending' is even better, with one of the more delicious twists that you'll ever see in a horror movie. Really. Ever.

So sit back, put on your 'horror is fun' goggles, and enjoy.




This is evidence of bad touching. Bad touching.