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Infection
DVD/APPROX. 95 MINS/2004/JAPAN M
DVD/APPROX. 95 MINS/2004/JAPAN M
8.5
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West versus East, the age old battle when it comes to visual entertainment, with staunch supporters on either side, both with their sets of good
and bad arguments. One thing I can tell you, is no matter which side of the fence you stand on, when it comes to the horror genre- they are
completely different beasts.
Now, one thing that may surprise you is the atmosphere of movie ‘Infection‘ (Distributed exclusively on DVD by Madman Entertainment in the
Region 4 format), I feel I must make this point clear first before any mention of the plot, especially for the generation of movie goers that I belong
to who are also weaned on video games. And a lot of video game arguments raised when relation to the ‘Survival horror’ genre often relate back
to the atmosphere of the game, see Silent Hill for a good example, specifically one of the first three in the series (the Silent Hill movie doesn’t
quite capture the same atmosphere I am talking about), to see what I mean.
Now in movies, an atmosphere that makes you feel integrated into it is harder to achieve (in video games you are tethered to the actions by the
fact your control of the character makes you more one with the story than you’d think), but this movie succeeds, and exceeds the quota. Even just
inserting the disk into the player, putting on headphones and then leaving it on the title menu is enough to send chills up your spine, imagine what
the movie is like?
The movie is set in a hospital, with staff that are either neglectful, or over worked due to understaffing, resulting in some under achievement when
it comes to the attention given to the patients within. The hospital as a whole is also running low on supplies and as it appears is low on money,
with doctors even complaining about lack of pay. Not the greatest place to be a patient in, unfortunately for a certain burn victim (who at the start
appears to be an unwilling participant to a nurse who can’t use a syringe properly). And with the approach of a new patient, at first only revealed
by flashing lights as an ambulance searches for an ER with room to take them in, this have started to become a bit eerie.
Of course it is when this mystery patient finally arrives at the hospital that things begin to go fully off kilter for everyone present. And after the
burn victim mentioned earlier dies and a plot is laid down to forge the papers to save face, that all hope appears to be lost, the title characters
begin to get locked into what I like to call ‘a loop of their own inadequacies’, for example one man spends most of the movie practicing sutures,
there is a definite appearance of something otherworldly too as just as this all happens a solitary swing in the swing set begins to start swinging
on its own. Sure, we see this a lot in horror movies, but as I always say, its in the execution. The atmosphere and chilling music (there I go again)
present both subtly and obviously make even some of the simplest notions riveting and unsettling, and that’s what I look for in a good horror,
something that makes me unsettled, yet still wanting more.
Enough of distinct story points now, if I continue too much, you wouldn’t need to watch the movie, but trust me, if you like the movie up until what
I have mentioned you are in for a treat for the remaining hour.
I have mentioned a lot about the sound in its relevance to the atmosphere, so now on to visual styling, using dark and shadows in horror movies
is a relative must, but light and the act of lighting itself are also crucial, this movie delivers on both, not shy to keep things up front, or obscure
them as need be. Also the camera work plays well, not simply content with just cutting to different angles, the simple way this movie has the
camera move around the action added with the sound has a much more tangible affect than I expected. Also camera placement is a bit more bold
and daring, placing the camera behind or above lighting fixtures at some points, as if peering through the supports and struts down at the people
as they are tormented.
The acting appears to be quite genuine also, convincing to no end. And the downward spiral of each character after is quite prevalent in everything
they do, from simple facial emotions and gestures to physical motions.
Unlike a lot of the modern western horrors that tend to rely on scare tactics and/or hideous monsters, ‘Infection’ conforms to a more psychological
intent. Invading your mind with its distinct use of sound and visuals, but also putting that slight tingle at the back of your neck with such notions as
’what if’ it was happening to you? Or better yet, could it even be happening to you now? How would you even know?
There is a wonderfully large amount of special features to appeal to the viewers of this movie, a ‘Making of’ feature, Cast and crew interviews, the
original trailer, a stills gallery, and even a Digital Effects Exposed feature, and Japanese conference feature. Very nice indeed. And of course more
Madman Entertainment trailers.
There is very little to find at fault with this movie, of course it depends on the type of horror movie you like (assuming you pertain to certain types
of horror, or prefer either western or eastern of the other exclusively), but it’s a very refreshing refrain from what appears to be hugely common
place within modern media’s mainstream at the current point in time.
Actually I can’t think of anything currently that didn’t sit well with me about this movie, apart from a slightly slow pace in places. I am unsure of how
to grade this movie as I liked almost everything about it, but, I still feel as if it could’ve been better (if that makes sense), so I will play it safe and
go for an eight out of ten rating.
and bad arguments. One thing I can tell you, is no matter which side of the fence you stand on, when it comes to the horror genre- they are
completely different beasts.
Now, one thing that may surprise you is the atmosphere of movie ‘Infection‘ (Distributed exclusively on DVD by Madman Entertainment in the
Region 4 format), I feel I must make this point clear first before any mention of the plot, especially for the generation of movie goers that I belong
to who are also weaned on video games. And a lot of video game arguments raised when relation to the ‘Survival horror’ genre often relate back
to the atmosphere of the game, see Silent Hill for a good example, specifically one of the first three in the series (the Silent Hill movie doesn’t
quite capture the same atmosphere I am talking about), to see what I mean.
Now in movies, an atmosphere that makes you feel integrated into it is harder to achieve (in video games you are tethered to the actions by the
fact your control of the character makes you more one with the story than you’d think), but this movie succeeds, and exceeds the quota. Even just
inserting the disk into the player, putting on headphones and then leaving it on the title menu is enough to send chills up your spine, imagine what
the movie is like?
The movie is set in a hospital, with staff that are either neglectful, or over worked due to understaffing, resulting in some under achievement when
it comes to the attention given to the patients within. The hospital as a whole is also running low on supplies and as it appears is low on money,
with doctors even complaining about lack of pay. Not the greatest place to be a patient in, unfortunately for a certain burn victim (who at the start
appears to be an unwilling participant to a nurse who can’t use a syringe properly). And with the approach of a new patient, at first only revealed
by flashing lights as an ambulance searches for an ER with room to take them in, this have started to become a bit eerie.
Of course it is when this mystery patient finally arrives at the hospital that things begin to go fully off kilter for everyone present. And after the
burn victim mentioned earlier dies and a plot is laid down to forge the papers to save face, that all hope appears to be lost, the title characters
begin to get locked into what I like to call ‘a loop of their own inadequacies’, for example one man spends most of the movie practicing sutures,
there is a definite appearance of something otherworldly too as just as this all happens a solitary swing in the swing set begins to start swinging
on its own. Sure, we see this a lot in horror movies, but as I always say, its in the execution. The atmosphere and chilling music (there I go again)
present both subtly and obviously make even some of the simplest notions riveting and unsettling, and that’s what I look for in a good horror,
something that makes me unsettled, yet still wanting more.
Enough of distinct story points now, if I continue too much, you wouldn’t need to watch the movie, but trust me, if you like the movie up until what
I have mentioned you are in for a treat for the remaining hour.
I have mentioned a lot about the sound in its relevance to the atmosphere, so now on to visual styling, using dark and shadows in horror movies
is a relative must, but light and the act of lighting itself are also crucial, this movie delivers on both, not shy to keep things up front, or obscure
them as need be. Also the camera work plays well, not simply content with just cutting to different angles, the simple way this movie has the
camera move around the action added with the sound has a much more tangible affect than I expected. Also camera placement is a bit more bold
and daring, placing the camera behind or above lighting fixtures at some points, as if peering through the supports and struts down at the people
as they are tormented.
The acting appears to be quite genuine also, convincing to no end. And the downward spiral of each character after is quite prevalent in everything
they do, from simple facial emotions and gestures to physical motions.
Unlike a lot of the modern western horrors that tend to rely on scare tactics and/or hideous monsters, ‘Infection’ conforms to a more psychological
intent. Invading your mind with its distinct use of sound and visuals, but also putting that slight tingle at the back of your neck with such notions as
’what if’ it was happening to you? Or better yet, could it even be happening to you now? How would you even know?
There is a wonderfully large amount of special features to appeal to the viewers of this movie, a ‘Making of’ feature, Cast and crew interviews, the
original trailer, a stills gallery, and even a Digital Effects Exposed feature, and Japanese conference feature. Very nice indeed. And of course more
Madman Entertainment trailers.
There is very little to find at fault with this movie, of course it depends on the type of horror movie you like (assuming you pertain to certain types
of horror, or prefer either western or eastern of the other exclusively), but it’s a very refreshing refrain from what appears to be hugely common
place within modern media’s mainstream at the current point in time.
Actually I can’t think of anything currently that didn’t sit well with me about this movie, apart from a slightly slow pace in places. I am unsure of how
to grade this movie as I liked almost everything about it, but, I still feel as if it could’ve been better (if that makes sense), so I will play it safe and
go for an eight out of ten rating.
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