Movie Review: The Eye (2008)


Due to my extremely short attention span, I’m guessing the Hollywood raid into the Japanese horror genre started with The Ring. Next on the borrow list was The Grudge. The success of these movies inspired several uninspiring sequels and in 2008, two – yes, two – brand-spanking new copies hit the theaters: One Missed Call (which I couldn’t muster the strength to see) and now The Eye.

The Eye stars everyone’s favorite starlet, Jessica Alba, as a blind as a bat violinist, Sydney Wells. She’s been sightless since the age of five and now, some 15 years later, the chance has presented itself for her to regain her sight through a cornea transplant. With the help (prodding due to guilt is probably a better adjective) of her sister Helen (Parker Posey), she musters up the courage to go through with the operation. But the joke is on you, if you think it could be that simple. As it turns out, shortly after the procedure, poor Sydney begins to have terrible visions. Ghost like figures and screaming, burning people haunt her nightly. Thinking the worst (who wouldn’t), she seeks the counsel of Dr. Paul Faulkner (Alessandro Nivola) who cleverly chalks it all up to her body getting adjusted to her new sense of sight. Unfettered with his diagnosis, she decides to seek out the donor, with or without his help, determined to prove, once and for all, that she isn’t crazy.

You may ask, “What was it that caused her so much grief?” or “Was she able to rectify the situation?”. I’m not even going to acknowledge those questions with an answer (you should be slapped for even thinking of asking them). What I am going to do, is tell you to avoid seeing The Eye for two major reasons.

First, this may very well be the least frightening horror movie I’ve ever seen in my many years. There’s no suspense either. Directors David Moreau and Xavier Palud rely on old shock tactics and camera tricks to try and squeeze out any semblance of terror from this tired premise. It may be due to their relative inexperience behind the camera or because of the highly suspect screenplay by Sebastian Gutierrez. I’d venture a guess Gutierrez didn’t put much time into translating or in the embellishment of the original work. Whatever the underlying reason is, The Eye clearly suffers from it. Gravely.

Second, even though I shouldn’t have to spell it out, watching Jessica Alba act is about as much fun as getting hit in the head with a crowbar. Repeatedly. To her credit though, she does actually try to display some emotional range — Sydney is undoubtedly a troubled young lady — but try as she might, it is completely and utterly unbelievable. Her days as a card carrying member of the Screen Actors Guild must now come to a swift and complete end (the horror that was Good Luck Chuck was no apparition). In place of it, she should be awarded stage time at Seventh Veil. Apparently, the directors agree with my replacement idea since they added a totally unnecessary shower scene to the movie (no she doesn’t get naked).

It is therefore the opinion of this film critic (used loosely) that any attempt to see this movie be met with the utmost of resistance. While it isn’t nearly as bad as getting your own corneas replaced, it does rank in at a close second. There is no shame in pretending you’re temporarily blind to avoid seeing The Eye either — hell, I would have done the same thing if this .30-cent a day job didn’t require otherwise.

Critical Movie Critic Rating:
1 Star Rating: Stay Away

1

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The Critical Movie Critics

I'm an old, miserable fart set in his ways. Some of the things that bring a smile to my face are (in no particular order): Teenage back acne, the rain on my face, long walks on the beach and redneck women named Francis. Oh yeah, I like to watch and criticize movies.


'Movie Review: The Eye (2008)' have 6 comments

  1. The Critical Movie Critics

    February 5, 2008 @ 9:18 pm Cody

    I’ve yet to see any of these American remakes. Whenever one gets released, I search out the original Japanese/Chinese version. I’ll be watching “Gin gwai” this weekend.

  2. The Critical Movie Critics

    February 5, 2008 @ 9:19 pm Phntmbanana

    yeah not too pleased about the direction alba has taken I liked her in Sin City(how could you not?) but then Fantastic Four and Good luck Chuck not to mention this heaping load of shit. Just can’t wait to see what she will “star” in next

  3. The Critical Movie Critics

    February 6, 2008 @ 4:26 pm Neil

    Movies like these aren’t meant to be taken seriously nor should they be reviewed from a technical standpoint.

    Judge it based off of why it was made-1. show off Jessica Alba’s “assets”, 2. pad the wallets and purses of studio execs.

    On those merits, I’d say the movie was a rousing success.

    • The Critical Movie Critics

      February 8, 2008 @ 6:37 pm General Disdain

      wow, i couldn’t believe that they green lighted this one.

      Nothing surprises me anymore.

      Movies like these aren’t meant to be taken seriously nor should they be reviewed from a technical standpoint.
      Judge it based off of why it was made-1. show off Jessica Alba’s “assets”, 2. pad the wallets and purses of studio execs.
      On those merits, I’d say the movie was a rousing success.

      The fact the movie wasn’t screened prior to release speaks to the fact the studios knew it was a dud. It deserves unwaivering scrutiny.

      I wouldn’t say the movie was meant to show off Alba’s “assets”. 20 seconds behind an opaque shower stall hardly equates to a focus on her T & A. I’ll agree the movie was meant to pad the studio coffers — aren’t all movies?

  4. The Critical Movie Critics

    February 6, 2008 @ 6:40 pm sir jorge

    wow, i couldn’t believe that they green lighted this one.

  5. The Critical Movie Critics

    February 13, 2008 @ 7:20 am cesarian

    This movie looks interesting and I like horror movie. So I am definitely gonna watch this movie.

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