Derek Childs (totalovrdose)
Hashimoto (Yosuke Eguchi) leads a team, consistent of Su (Barbie Hsu), Mei (Janine Chun-Ning Chang) and Ren (Bo-lin Chen), in an attempt to conquer Earth's gravity and achieve the ability to walk on ceilings and walls. This accomplishment is conceivable through the use of a device called the Menger Sponge, which traps energies capable of making this dream a reality. However, as with many science fiction films that employ elements of horror, there is always a catch, and in the movie Silk, that comes in the form of a young boy, whose ghost not only haunts an aged establishment, but is the key to the experiment, his inexplicably strong energies being capable of turning the science into reality.Trapping the boy inside a room, the team invests the assistance of Tung (Chen Chang), a tactical expert, sniper and lip reader, who is able to read the lips of the ghost in an attempt to better understand his motivations and past. Mr. Chang is able to brilliantly carry the film alongside Mr. Eguchi, although the focus on their characters renders the others less memorable.Tung is an interesting character to focus upon, his military background causing him to become a strong, driving individual, as confident as he is capable, though at the same time, this attitude of his leaves him prone to some unemotional instances in the field. The subplot involving his mother, whose sick in hospital, is the paramount reason behind his dilemmas regarding death and the afterlife, and the relationship he has with love interest Wei (Karena Lam), although portrayed over only a few scenes, is as fulfilling as the rest of the plot, providing the audience with an emotional story worth investing in.Out of all the horror movies I've seen, Silk would have to be one of the most unique. Originally, the film seems unsure of its directionality, beginning with a stereotypical horror movie scene, before introducing a shoot out between police forces and terrorists. These changes in tone are eventually combined, producing an effective blend of entertainment.One of the pitfalls of focusing so strongly on the ghosts in this film, which occupy more than half of the feature, is that through humanizing them, the sense of terror they exude is limited, although that's not to say it's non-existent, with a couple of great, unpredictable jump scares incorporated into the plot. What Silk does best of all though is suspense, with many scenes where either ghosts or humans are pursuing one another, resulting in many nail biting situations.Moreover, the science is also effectively produced, with much of it being intelligently portrayed and carefully discussed, allowing this particular aspect of the story to be convincingly understandable and entertaining.The special effects offer a mixture of decent and fantastic visuals, and the accompanying music during the scenes fraught with tension and emotion draw the viewer further into the plot, until, on many an occasion, you are haplessly glued to the screen, itching for a resolution to one of the many crises.Thoroughly entertaining, suspenseful, gripping, and featuring a brilliant ending that fabulously concludes each of the stories developed over the course of the feature, Silk is an unmissable blend of action, science fiction and horror that deserves to be viewed.
Claudio Carvalho
In Taipei, the crippled scientist Hashimoto (Yosuke Eguchi) uses his invention of "Menger Sponge" to capture the energy of the spirit of a child in an old building. He invites the specialist in reading lips, Detective Tung (Chen Chang), to join his research team that is studying the phenomenon to understand the movements of the lips of the ghost. Hashimoto is trying to disclose why the energy of the ghost does not dissipate, and Tung discovers the identity and the dramatic story of the boy. He was sick with tumors and was killed by his own mother and buried nearby a nuclear plant. Hashimoto deduces that the rage of the boy for his mother associated to the location where the body was buried were the reason to keep the energy. When the government decides to shutdown the research, Hashimoto becomes insane and takes the spirit with him."Guisi" is an original and dramatic ghost story with characters well developed and great special effects. However, the confused screenplay is weird and flawed in some moments, with an absolute lack of explanation for many situations. For example, how Hashimoto walks in the ceiling of the director's bedroom? Why the ghosts kill when the person looks in their eyes? Why the mother dies exactly when Tung reaches her room? There are many other situations without a satisfactory explanation, but it is worthwhile watching this film. My vote is seven.Title (Brazil): "Silk - O Primeiro Espírito Capturado" ("Silk - The First Captured Spirit")Note: On 04 September 2015, I saw this film again.
chrichtonsworld
This movie successfully combines science fiction,drama and horror! The pace of "Silk" is just right! From the start you want to know what is going on! There are certainly enough scares and surprises! There is a subplot involving Chen Chang (Tung) to deepen his character but falls a bit short at the end! The horror elements of the story are subtle but scary when it needs to be! There aren't many characters involved! That is a good thing so you know where to put the focus! There are some matters that are not explained in the story! Like the cube they are using in the movie! It is not necessary for the outcome of the main story,but it would have been nice! The actors are great! Chen Chang really carries the movie! The actor who plays Hashimoto also is wonderful! You can see in his eyes that he is too obsessed with the case! It could be that some scares remind people of other Asian horror movies! Honestly,I don't have a problem with that! They are very effective in this movie! So who cares that it is not totally original! "Silk" is full of suspense and is very entertaining on different fronts! Definitely a must see!!!
z3nt
Wowwwww... One of the best and creative ghost movies coming from asia in this century for sure. With a wonderful plot, a creepy and original story with lots of scary moments that put me in the edge of my seat! The child was very creepy and the acting was good enough too. The soundtrack was great. But..... This thriller is so strong that I could oversee the special effects. Except ONE, the car accident one! What the fu..??? What was that? Why that accident must ended with a computer image? This is a (one)second that almost ruined the all 108 minutes of the flick. What was going in the head of Chao-Bin Su? Completely unnecessary.. Anyway, this is a great movie and I recommend it.
