Red Lights (2012)

Very good until just past the half-way mark when it takes a downward spiral where very little makes sense. The twist ending is more of a let-down than a surprise and renders the film just plain silly.

Really enjoyed this movie. It's unusual, thrilling, all the actors do an excellent job and the twists are great. If you're looking for something 'new' and different to watch, that doesn't compromise on quality or star power, and that will genuinely surprise you, try this movie.

This movie has an interesting and well told story and great actors, for that it's worth watching. Although the very end seems to be a hasty wrap-up with a twist that opens another story entirely and leaves the viewer wondering why the movie wasn't about this new plot in the first place?The filming is just dreadful, though. Bad lightning, the externals all gray and there are no close-ups on details (or on the interesting faces). Sometimes you almost miss what's going on because you can't see it. The internals are dark yellow and that does no good for the actors. Cillian Murphy's piercing clear blue eyes can hardly be seen and they're really difficult to hide. Low, low, low budget filming, this movie deserved better.

I think that no matter how well the main cast did with their roles, in the end what ruins this film is the cutting choices. Sigourney Weaver plays an intelligent, successful woman investigating a ridiculous subject (parapsychology)and you have to ask why ? Nobody in the sciences takes pseudo-science nonsense seriously enough to warrant the waste of such a brilliant mind. She has a secret,however, her son, who at age four takes a tumble in her office and is in a coma, and has been for many years. The interesting turn of events is that she was investigating Robert De Niro's character (Silver) at the time of the accident. There is one quick scene, a passing mention and poof it is gone from the film. This would be the only rational for her activities...it is almost completely lost in the editing of the film. Instead Cortes gives us another quick turn at the end that is not satisfying or even really explained. Just dumped on the audience with a few quick cuts to some re-angled shots from earlier in the film. De Niro, is De Niro; powerful actor. Weaver, real talent; Murphy, first rate; and Olsen one of the best new actresses of our time. All of these actors do well. Maybe the problem is that Cortes, the director--writer--editor--producer, is not at home doing American films. He is not used to editing for American audiences. Maybe he is wearing far too many hats for a new director. Maybe this is the way things are done in Spain. Unfortunately, I did not go to see a film from Spain. You wonder why these actors did this film...it was filmed in Barcelona one of the most beautiful cities in the world.Outside of thinking of what Weavers motivations might have been, I did not find this film to be of any interest as a thriller. It was not thrilling, interesting or well made.