â??It is still possible to make a film these days without grossing out the audience and yet scaring them; the Pang Brothers have shown us that.â?

Lately the main horror/suspense films that have been screened on cinemas have been filled with blood and gore, making it hard to keep your face to the screen.

People are paying high prices to hear people scream and yell while blood gushes any which way. Some examples would be the well-known “Saw” trilogy or the film “The Descent.”

Now, the Pang Brothers, whose films are well-known in Asia but unfamiliar to most Americans, bring us the suspense thriller “The Messengers.”

The film takes place on a sunflower farm in North Dakota where the Solomon family has moved from Chicago to balance out their lives.

Soon mysterious activities start occurring and cannot be explained. It is up to the teenage daughter Jess, played by Kristen Stewart, to uncover what horrific act took place in the past to save her family, even if they do not believe her.

This is the directorial debut in America for the Pang Brothers, bringing what they know about Hong Kong cinema to our traditional U.S. customs. This is beautifully directed, with sharp camera angles bringing out the most in each scene “ from the highly unexpected “make you jump out of your seat” scenes to the intense close-ups that deliver great suspense.

The special effects are well done and actually look more realistic than other films of the 21st century. There was very little blood and gore, and still the suspense and tension made you gasp. It is still possible to make a film these days without grossing out the audience, and yet scaring them; the Pang Brothers have shown us that.

Stewart gave a stellar performance as the main character in the film. Her acting added to the suspense and tension of each scene. Even though at one point you think she is going to lose it, she gathers herself and acts with maturity.

Dylan McDermott played a decent role as the father to Stewart“s character. One role that was superb was the cute, but creepy kid brother of Stewart“s character, played by Evan and Theodore Turner. He, along with his sister, made each suspenseful scene stronger.

However this film does have its negative points. The plot of this film has been seen before. It is not original and it is predictable, to say the least. The acting of the mother and the friend of the daughter can bother some people.

The ending is tied up very quickly and ends abruptly, leaving you feeling that there could have been more to the script.

Overall this film is a quality thriller having its moments of nail-scratching suspense, great jump effects and awesome special effects. The plot could have been thicker and the ending could have been more suspenseful, but it is worth seeing.

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