Sci-Fi Thriller Unveils Government Neglect

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MOVIE REVIEW
Project Silence
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Genre: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 41m
Director(s): Tae-gon Kim
Writer(s): Tae-gon Kim, Yong-hwa Kim, Joo-Suk Park
Cast: Lee Sun-kyun, Ju Ji-hoon, Kim Hee-won, Moon Sung-Keun, Ye Soo-jung, Kim Tae-woo, Park Hee-bon, Park Ju-hyun, Kim Su-an
Language: Korean with English subtitles
Where To Watch: in select US theaters July 12, 2024

RAVING REVIEW: Directed by Tae-gon Kim, PROJECT SILENCE descends into a maelstrom of disaster, where sci-fi meets horror on the most ordinary days turned nightmarish. The Incheon Grand Bridge serves as the backdrop for this calamity, where a thick, unyielding fog catalyzes chaos, revealing the frailties and the grit of those caught in its midst.

The film begins dramatically as a routine transport of genetically modified combat dogs (yep, that’s a thing I just said) goes awry, spilling these engineered predators among unsuspecting commuters. Amid the ensuing uproar, Cha Jeong-won, portrayed by Lee Sun-kyun, and his daughter face more than the immediate threat of the crumbling infrastructure—they must also confront their deteriorating relationship, which lends a poignant depth to their struggle for survival.

PROJECT SILENCE, however, is not without its clichés. The narrative, though engaging, often veers into the realm of the predictable. Jeong-won's evolution from a self-absorbed bureaucrat to a protective patriarch mirrors many a cinematic transformation, albeit executed sincerely. As the offbeat gas station attendant, Jo Park (Ju Ji-hoon) injects humor and a bit of quirkiness into the tension, a welcomed diversion that nevertheless treads familiar ground.

A central pillar of the film is its stark critique of governmental indifference, presenting a grim tableau of the repercussions such negligence can wreak in times of dire crisis. This powerful thematic undercurrent is somewhat diluted by some underdeveloped characters and the occasionally underwhelming CGI, which, while functional, falls short of fully realizing the film’s ambitious aesthetic. However, I must point out that this is one of those films you just need to watch and enjoy; picking it apart does a disservice to the deeper meaning behind the film.

Despite these shortcomings, the choreography of the action sequences is done well, maintaining a taut pace that expertly balances suspense with the looming threat of the mutant dogs. The dynamic formed by the ensemble cast, thrust together by necessity, injects vigor into the plot, driving it toward a thrilling and satisfying climax.

The cinematography in PROJECT SILENCE deserves special mention. It captures the claustrophobic tension and vast desolation of the Incheon Grand Bridge with equal prowess. The camera work amplifies the sense of impending doom as the fog encroaches. At the same time, the sound design weaves a haunting auditory tapestry that elevates the scenes from merely visually striking to genuinely immersive. Each howl and growl of the dogs is rendered with chilling clarity, ensuring that the audience is not just observing but feeling the terror.

PROJECT SILENCE ambitiously attempts to marry B-movie thrills with significant thematic questions about morality and survival, occasionally losing its footing in its more formulaic moments. The effort to infuse the script with a more profound discourse on integrity and accountability is brilliant, although occasionally overshadowed by the constraints of the genre.

Ultimately, PROJECT SILENCE delivers what it promises—an action-packed cinematic adventure that, while not groundbreaking, offers sufficient thrill and engagement to keep its audience riveted. It’s a visually impressive, adrenaline-pumping film that knows its audience and plays to its strengths, ensuring those who step into its world are in for a full-throttle experience.

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[photo courtesy of CAPELIGHT PICTURES, CJ ENM STUDIOS, BLAAD STUDIOS]

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