The Orphanage (2007)

Why so much hype?

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

Watching it is like watching the spectacle of a class clown at their best: you laugh at their jokes, instigate their defiance, and "ooooh" when they get in trouble.

It surprised me how high the rating was for this movie after seeing it. Maybe it's because it is one of very few horror movies that deliver any kind of human story. It seems like Del Toro was conflicted over whether he wanted it to be a horror movie or not. On one hand, the kids from Laura's childhood did not have malicious intent, but on the other hand the story plays out in a way that is definitely intended to induce fear and suspense. Nothing about the nature of the story or characters called for most of the horror elements that were included. There was no story reason for Tomas' mask to look creepy, or for him to hurt Lauren. There were other small things that seemed to have only been done for jump scare and suspense purposes, like when the ghost kids smash closed the window to respond to Laura or Simon muttering mysteriously in the cave instead of being more playful with his "friends". The scene with the medium was also made very suspenseful, but really didn't need to be. These things aren't necessarily bad, but I don't think they really helped to tell the story. The only horror genre motivated thing that was entirely bad was Beninga getting hit by the ambulance; it was actually really funny because of how ridiculous it was.The story itself is fairly standard and formulaic, but it doesn't have any evident holes or issues. It's adequate and nothing more, not making any statements or offering anything that unique. The characters are similarly flat, which makes sense because the focus is more on the situations they are in rather than their actions. I found that this made for flat scenes and a flat movie overall, but that doesn't mean you won't enjoy it. I suppose it's well directed and is definitely made to look visually appealing. There was a lot done with the lighting and angles. From what I have observed, horror and thriller movies seem to be great outlets for production specialists to really have fun and get inventive, particularly directors of photography. They may not feature the greatest writing, but they are excellent examples of visual storytelling and using certain kinds of shot combinations to create the right mood.I wouldn't recommend that you go out looking to watch this movie, but if it's showing in your Spanish class or on a bus trip or something it may keep your interest. If you don't like jump scares and gore, you'll be okay. There are very few of either, and the first twenty minutes or so are not scary or suspenseful at all. Actually, the movie is really more of a fantasy story than anything, and was just infused with horror elements to increase drama. Overall Rating: 6.3/10.

J.A. Bayona and Guillermo del Toro's The Orphanage is a masterfully crafted piece of Spanish horror that transcends high above the relatively low bar set for the genre. While consistently suspenseful and dark, the story is told in a oddly beautiful way. This isn't the average horror film where the fear is generated from gory images or cheap scares, but rather it's atmosphere and emotional tension and eventual deterioration of our main character. The Orphanage is bold and takes many risks, most of which pay off, but what impressed me the most was the elegance and maturity showcased by Bayona in his debut feature. Guillermo del Toro's influence on the film is immediately noticeable as every aspect within the film is executed with a sense of macabre beauty, from the breathtaking shots to the excellently detailed setting.The cast is fairly limited and the story strongly hinges on our emotional connection to our main character played by Belén Rueda. She was simply excellent as we witness her character slowly starts to lose her grip on everything she believes. She's a strong, determined female character who emits a confidence that is reflected not only in herself, but the entire film as a whole. The Orphanage is a film for the patient and at times it seems more of a film for movie-lovers rather than actual horror fans. The atmosphere and tone drive the story forward, and while a few scares occur now and then, it's the unwavering sense of dread that makes the experience relentlessly suspenseful at times. And once we begin to uncover the truth behind the film's many mysteries, these moments of suspense intensify. While there are a few scenes of far-fetched violence that the director seems to indulge in, he never gets lost in it. The main thing that sets The Orphanage apart from most other horror movies is the amount of heart the film features. The story is hauntingly sad, but once we begin to solve the film's mysteries, it only becomes even more heartbreaking. The use of child ghosts may seem eye-rolling at first, but the idea is never exploited and even adds to the emotional impact. The ending is really hit-or-miss for most people but I found it to be the perfect way to wrap up such a beautiful and emotional tale of love and loss. It may not be endlessly re-watchable as the film does drag on at times, but if you can make it past some slow stretches, the payoff more than makes up for these moments. The Orphanage is a smart, elegant and sophisticated horror film. The cinematic and acting prowess from the cast and producers in unquestionable and in turn works to make the viewing experience all the more rich. While it can't be said for many of the genre, The Orphanage is a horror film built completely off the emotions of it's story, character's and the feelings it evokes from the audience. Where most horror films aim to make you faint, The Orphanage aims to make you cry.

Free of cheap scares and senseless gore – The Orphanage relies on setting, story, and artful camera work.Consider such scenarios that are common in many haunted house films: children with sensitivities toward paranormal phenomena; a house haunted by ghostly children. These can be genuinely creepy scenarios so long as the film is done right. To capture the creepiness factor, the lines between reality and a child's fantasy must be ever so subtly blurred. There must be layers of terror lurking underneath the shield of innocence, with each successive layer becoming more and more disturbing. The Orphanage gets it right. It successfully builds a bridge between innocence and terror and we the viewers walk this bridge in exhilarating trepidation.To read more, visit my blog - the link is on my profile page

I have seen many horror movies, but in this genre this will remain one of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen. To me it shares the same spot with pan's labyrinth on the top. On a wonderful story the acting from the cast is brilliant. The story starts to build slowly but it's the beauty that when you go inside the groove it becomes the different experience altogether. I like atmospheric movies and man the atmosphere of the movie is bone chilling and creepy yet beautiful. The colour of this movie is greyish which depicts the mood of the ordeal Laura was going through.There is nothing over the top in this movie. It's a sheer pleasure to watch it at any time. The ending in particular is awesome and it memory remains with you for a long time after this movie. This is the second time I have watched this movie and it still feels fresh. I could not believe that this is Bayona's directorial debut. If this is the start then I would like to see more films from him. Hats off to this movie. It will remain one of my all time favourite :).