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"The Orphanage" offers proof positive that quality filmmaking can triumph over even the tritest of themes. In bare outline, it's really just the oldie about the family that moves into a creepy older establishment - in this case an abandoned orphanage with a very dark past - only to be hounded by the spirits of the people who died there under horrific circumstances. Laura (Belen Rueda) is a woman who was herself raised there as a child and who has now returned with her husband, Carlos (Fernando Cayo), and their adopted son, Simon (Roger Princep), to open a home for disabled children. In no time flat, however, things begin going bump in the night, and Simon disappears under mysterious circumstances. Could the souls of the children who died there be trying to contact the living, and could they be using Simon as a means of achieving that end?
Anyone with even the most rudimentary knowledge of how such stories normally play themselves out should have no trouble divining the answers to those questions. But in his debut as a director, Juan Antonio Bayona demonstrates a real flair for the macabre, so that every haunted-house-movie cliché - every creaking door, every sudden apparition - that comes our way seems somehow new and fresh again. Perhaps it's the artful imagery, the fluid camerawork, or the highly effective soundtrack - or all three combined - that account for the movie's effectiveness. Whatever it is, Bayona is able to imbue even the most mundane object - a playground ride, a child's doll - with the utmost menace and dread.
At times, the film seems to be channeling some of the "greats" of the genre, namely "The Innocents," "The Omen," "Poltergeist" (especially with its high-tech ghost-hunters and creepy psychic played by Geraldine Chaplin), and the original version of "The Haunting." And because of the quality of the work here, the movie emerges more as an homage to those earlier classics than a slavish imitation of them.
People may be divided over the story's resolution - finding it either immensely satisfying or unnecessarily corny - but no one can deny that, for genuine thrills and suspense, "The Orphanage" is one of the better horror movies of the past several years.
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"The Orphanage [Blu-ray]" Overview
With her husband and son, a woman returns to the orphanage where she grew up to make it into a home for disabled children, but terrifying events and h
"The Orphanage [Blu-ray]" Specifications
It's only his first film, but Spain’s Juan Antonio Bayona has already figured out the secret to a successful supernatural thriller: emphasize character over special effects. Like Walter Salles's Dark Water and Alejandro Amenábar's The Others, The Orphanage pivots on a pretty woman and an unusual child. When her old orphanage goes on the market, Laura (Belén Rueda, Amenábar's The Sea Inside) and Carlos (Fernando Cayo) settle in with their son, Simón (Roger Príncep). Once acclimated to the remote seaside surroundings, they plan to re-open it as a home for special-needs children. Meanwhile, their seven-year-old doesn't know he's adopted or that he has a life-threatening illness. He does, however, have a lot of imaginary playmates. When Simón disappears without a trace, his parents contact the police, but to no avail. Because Laura has been hearing odd noises and having strange visions, they proceed to consult a medium. Aurora (Geraldine Chaplin, speaking perfect Spanish) is convinced they aren't alone. Carlos has his doubts, but Laura makes like a detective and revisits her childhood--through photographs, home movies, and exploration of the spooky stone manor--to determine who or what abducted her son. Produced and presented by Guillermo Del Toro, The Orphanage is less fanciful than his works, though it does bear a vague resemblance to the ghostly Devil's Backbone. There are a few gory make-up effects, but Bayona mostly preys on our fear of the unknown to craft a first-rate fright fest. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Tragic, Scary, Hopeful? - C. Rocklein -
It is a horror movie of sorts, but also a tragedy, and tale of some spiritual dimensions. Not your standard 'horror' fare or slasher film and audiences who don't come expecting that may find the story, upon reflection, to be quite seamless, clever and ultimately rather satisfying. I give it 4.5 stars. It isn't quite the odyssey that Pan's Labyrinth was (different director, same producer), but for what it sets out to do, it accomplishes much. The cinematography is top notch, as is the acting. Crystal clear transfer on the DVD. A story with a bit of a twist. A story that may leave you feeling oddly hopeful rather than frightened.
The Orphanage - Charles A. Robinson -
I prefer not to detail the things that actually occur in a movie, nor give long, pointed descriptions of the characters in them. I feel part of the enjoyment of a movie is figuring these things out for yourself (if you're reading a review, you're already partially interested, right?). So if you're looking for that, skip on down to any of the excellent descriptive reviews already posted.
On to the review itself:
The Orphanage is an incredibly under-appreciated movie.
Part of the problem comes from the tendency for it to be lumped into the horror genre, which has over the last few decades becomes synonymous with gore. This isn't to dismiss anyone's opinions of what makes a good horror movie, but someone looking for a movie akin to Saw, Hostel, et. al., should avoid this movie like the plague; you will be disappointed.
Outside of that, fans of psychological horror will find much to appreciate here. The atmosphere of the movie is absolutely perfect, with its dark tones and scenes juxtaposed with some brilliant, shining scenes -- never letting the viewer get too settled on what's to come. The movie itself exists much more in the vein of Hitchcock, without the overacting and overproduction seen in his otherwise wonderful movies. The best parts of this movie exist in their subtlety, never bothering to explain to the viewer what is obvious through attention, and not, with some very rare exception, forcing the viewer to take the director's view of how the movie should be interpreted.
If you're looking for a movie that will disturb you without excessive gore in a way that you remember it years later -- and that may even give you something to debate with your friends on family -- be sure to give this movie a chance.
Regarding the difference between Blu-Ray and DVD, if you have a chance, be sure to catch it in high definition. It's absolutely beautiful, and the sound is impeccably done. Not knocking on the DVD (it's also great!), but the Blu-Ray approximates the experience from the theatre much more in this movie than it does in some other releases as of late.
The Best - Ms. Beatriz O. Resendez - Texas
I encourage everyone to see this movie, The Orphanage, this is incredible!!!!!! It gets you glued to the tv!!!!! Its just the best thriller movie and the director is fantastic!!!!!! DEFINITELY WORTH BUYING!!!!!! INCREDIBLE EXCELLENT FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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"The Orphanage [Blu-ray]" Related Products
- The Devil's Backbone (Special Edition)
- Pan's Labyrinth [Blu-ray]
- Orphan [Blu-ray]
- Let the Right One In [Blu-ray]
- The Others (2001) [Blu-ray]
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