Review of “Project Silence”

The “disaster movie” isn’t as visible as it once was in Hollywood, but luckily for fans, South Korea has more than picked up the slack. Over the past two decades, Koreans have had to deal with a variety of on-screen disasters, including a tsunami, a tunnel collapse, an unstable power plant, and multiple zombie outbreaks. The latest film in the genre, however, stands out from the rest. Not because the disaster in question is unique; the bridge collapse is just the beginning of a series of films. Kim Tae-gon‘s Project Silence.

This film wastes no time getting to its main attraction: after a brief introduction, the main characters all head to the cursed bridge where multiple dangers loom. While it seems like another case of ragtag strangers banding together for their collective survival—and it is—the initial ordeal is capped off with a second dose of calamity. Straight out of left field, the story introduces a pack of killer dogs. These top-secret, military-trained mutts escape their masters, ignore orders, and then unleash on the bridge’s survivors. The ensuing chaos between dogs and humans is less intense than you might have anticipated or hoped, but these encounters multiply as the small cast seeks help and explores the creatures’ origins.

Project Silence The film is less than 100 minutes long, and its tights-and-braids pace leaves almost no time to catch your breath or develop the characters. Besides the hero, a single father and sometimes unethical assistant to a presidential candidate (Lee Sun-kyun, Parasite), everyone relies on their thin characterizations rather than moving forward. Lee’s character can be particularly difficult to get behind, largely because of his compromised ethics, but his flaws also make him a bit more interesting than the usual lead actors in these kinds of films. As for his character’s teenage daughter (Kim Su-an, Train to Busan), she eventually escapes her dual role as damsel in distress and her father’s moral compass. A wacky tow truck driver directly supports the central family dynamic (Ju Ji Hoon) whose comic side and courage break the despair of the situation.

Considering all the intensive action scenes with dogs, Project Silence The film relies heavily on digital effects. The stunts require far more than a real dog could or should do. The dark, foggy environment helps obscure the uncanny valley effect, though you’re never at all convinced that these are anything other than CGI dogs. Still, this is not a cheap film, and the money is evident on screen. Even the four-legged antagonists—whose backstory will tug at the heartstrings of animal lovers no matter how contrived—are occasionally impressive. The disaster scenes, on the other hand, are consistently funny, if fleeting; their immersive designs and thrilling executions get the adrenaline pumping.

The late Lee Sun-kyun delivered a solid final performance, raising the profile of an expensive B-movie. The energetic, flawless execution also makes up for the less innovative and more predictable parts. However, without his random creature aspect, Project Silence It is likely that this film will go undetected or quickly forgotten. Fortunately, the canine element gives this film a better chance of survival.

Project Silence is currently playing in select U.S. theaters..

Image: Poster for Project Silence Courtesy of Capelight Pictures.