Reviewed by Phil Wheat
Stars Kiefer Sutherland, Paula Patton, Amy Smart, Jason Flemyng | Written by Alexandre Aja & Grégory Levasseur
UK certification 18 | UK RRP £25.99 | DVD Region 2 | Runtime 106 minutes | Directed by Alexandre Aja
Suspended from the force, estranged from his family and recovering from alcoholism, ex-cop Ben Carson, (Kiefer Sutherland) tries to rebuild his life by taking a job as a night security guard at the derelict Mayflower department store. He soon wishes he hadn't. Every night as Ben walks the floors of the Mayflower he's subjected to terrifying visions of human anguish, each time revealing more of the true story of the deadly fire at the Mayflower.
Mirrors is a remake of a little seen Korean movie Geoul Sokeuro (aka Into the Mirror), by acclaimed director Alexandre Aja. Aja was previously responsible for the amazing Haute Tension and the well-received The Hills Have Eyes remake, and here he again manages to pile on the tension and provides another scary thrill-ride for viewers.
There are some issues with the film, however. Sutherland's character accepts that situation way too easily and he expects everyone else to as well, which lessens the "believability" of his actions, and it made me feel like portions of the film were missing - surely Ben should be explaining his theories to his wife rather than shouting at her when she won't help?
The effects in Mirrors are excellent and they should be - the guys behind them are renowned effects gurus Greg Nicotero and Howard Berger of KNB, the death of Amy Smart is particularly gruesome, even more so in the slightly extended "Tormented" cut of the film which features on this Blu-ray.
Relying more on psychological terror than in your face gore (even though there is plenty), Mirrors is a decent enough re-tread of the original film, but like most of the Hollywood j-horror remakes it's missing that little something that made Geoul Sokeuro great.
EXTRAS **** Behind the Mirror, Reflections: The Making of Mirrors, Deleted/Alternative Scenes, Anne Esseker back story, Animated storyboad sequence, Picture in Picture commentary by director Alexandre Aja, Picture in Picture scene to storyboard comparison.