Rating: 
Summary: As soulless as the Ripper
Review: Based upon the utterly dense graphic novel of the same name, From Hell is more about class warfare in a London ghetto than it is about one of the more vicious killers is recent history. Unfortunatley, for this film to work, it would have required far more intelligence and wit than the Hughes Brothers could have given it, but what can one expect from the makers of Menace II Society? Indeed, it isn't surprising that they can effectivley capture the filthy world of those that occupy the bottom of the food chain, where a legalized heroin corrupts. Naturally, the film reeks of conspiracy (a discredited one). The movie also slanders Queen Victoria (played by one Liz Moscrop). In fact, the message of From Hell is simple: "Wealthy Whites are evil". Oh, of course all the dirty prostitutes have hearts of gold. Johhny Depp, who has drug-induced precognitive visions about the killer, simply mumbles and fumbles through the film, and beautiful Heather Graham as a Whitechapel prostitute is easily one of the worst casting choices made in film history: someone with her looks is working a London slum? Please! I don't know what's worse, her pathetic attempts at an accent (Mary Kelly was Irish but Graham couldn't do an Irish accent) or those people who praise her performance. As far as Jack the Ripper himself, no one knows who he was. We have seen enough serial killers in our own century to know there is no neat explanation for these kinds of killings. The explanation usually remains locked in the inscrutable insanity of the killer's mind. Indeed, it is with no small irony that the true story of the Whitechapel slayings is far more compelling than this boring failure. But what can one expect from the makers of Menace II Society?
Rating: 
Summary: Not violent? Are you kidding?
Review: I've read several reviews below that say "From Hell" does not glorify violence, and most of the killing is done off screen. I beg to differ! I'm a huge horror movie fan, and I almost had to leave the theatre. The murders start out relatively tame: a woman is pulled into a dark alley, and we see the glint of a knife as it comes up and down repeatedly. Not too gross, but definitely effective. As the film progresses, though, the murders and their aftermaths become more gruesome. Another victim's body is found disembowled, and little is left to our imaginations at this point. A third victim's murder is shown to us in graphic detail--a woman is held while her throat is slashed. Notice how I say slashed and not "cut"--blood spews in every direction. The next victim's demise is almost just as bad--a shadow seems to step in front of her, and when it leaves, blood is bellowing from her throat. And the FINAL victim? Well, if you've ever seen pictures of the real fifth victim, you'll know that the Ripper didn't leave much to be identified here. And the film doesn't hold back in this depiction of violence. Perhaps it's not the grossest movie ever made, but in such a realistic environment and tone, the blood and gore seem very horrendous and hard to watch.
Rating: 
Summary: Important note, this is not a documentary.
Review: And that is the best way to enjoy this movie, just relax and let the story unfold and enjoy it for what it is, a fine murder mystery. I've talked to some "Ripperologists" who can't seem to get over the fact that it's a movie and while it sticks to the facts mostly, some parts have been fictionalized. This movie also doesn't just go for blood and guts either, there is a story here wrapped around the murders and it is a great one. Depp does a fine job as Abberline and the man who plays the Ripper does a fine job as well. All summed up if it's a great thriller you want this movie delivers and I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: From Hell
Review: Good Movie but I think it should have had a better ending but I guess they wanted to make it more to what really happend in real life. even will the ending I enjoy it.. it was good!
Rating: 
Summary: Slow-paced yet mesmerizing; Depp and Graham shine.
Review: Those expecting a good scare in the vein of Wes Craven will be sorely disappointed in "From Hell," the latest take on the infamous Jack the Ripper, done in a style of elegant and yet so perverse that one cannot help but become wrapped up in this dark yet absorbing tale. The latest film from the Hughes Brothers is a gossamer blanket of elegant settings crossed with the depraved regions of the darkest of human thoughts, with inklings of the psychological and conspiracy. The story seems to be aimed more at those who know little about the history of Jack the Ripper, putting a fictional spin on the events leading up to the still-unsolved case involving a series of notorious murders in London's Whitecastle district. In this degraded section of the capital, prostitutes fill the streets, five of which form a tightly knit group of friends. At the center of these women is Mary Kelly (Heather Graham), who will become the love interest to Inspector Abberline (Johnny Depp), who is assigned to the cases of the murders. Of course, Abberline has more connection to the gruesome events than he wishes. His dreams allow him to foresee the crimes before they happen, a plot point that doesn't quite reach fruition by film's end. His psychological connection to the events is never really capitalized on, and since there is really no need for it, what there is in the film seems out of place. The movie also takes its time to generate some momentum, and some will find the sequence of events boring rather than interesting. This is no a whodunit in the traditional sense: the clues in the beginning are less intriguing than those towards the end, and the action is almost null. I consider this to be one of the film's attributes, taking its time in delivering small clues that will lead to larger ones, while keeping the cheap thrills at a minimum. As the plot progresses, it begins to generate some genuine suspense. From the murder scenes, Abberline begins gathering his physical evidence, from things such as grape branches to the smell of expensive alcohol on the victims' lips. He discovers that the women killed by the Ripper compose the circle of friends to which Mary belongs, making it more of a personal vendetta, a particularly effective angle once the final act begins. This new working of the legendary serial killer is quite a stylish trip, I must say, boasting some of the most impressive visual scenes of this year. Scenes that reveal the glory of London soon transform into the degradation and run-down conditions of the poor sectors, while the murder scenes have the good taste to keep most of the gruesome, gory detail hidden from view. The recreation of London in the 19th century is meticulous and bursting with authenticity, a lavish set and costume design achievement. The underlying mystery also keeps things moving at a reasonable pace, and those who enjoy exposition over thrills will find it rather interesting. It sparks a new twist that involves many of London's highly regarded officials, even a figure of royalty. As the beginning begins to unfold, nothing seems to fit together, but as the story progresses, the pieces become clearer. Most importantly, it keeps its surprises well hidden, making them that much more effective once they are revealed. Johnny Depp is back in fine form, and his performance here is sure to remind audiences of his spectacular acting in Tim Burton's "Sleepy Hollow." In Abberline, he plays the same kind of character, but with an edgier lifestyle, and a more straightforward attitude. It's good to see Heather Graham in a genre that befits her talent; comedy doesn't seem to be her strong suit, but her role as Mary in this film allows her to give us a wonderful performance. She and Depp share a terrific offbeat chemistry, one that makes the movie's bittersweet resolution for the two deeply affecting. I've never really known much about the legend of Jack the Ripper short of seeing "From Hell," and even I have my doubts about its historical accuracy in regards to the sequence of events leading to the fictional twist in the end. Even still, the film is bursting with elements of the macabre and the gothic, and carries a well-suited cast to pull off a nicely paced plot; this is a pretty impressive production.
Rating:
Summary: From Hell - worth the trip!
Review: From Hell is a visually stunning film. (Also visually stunning is Johnny Depp as the inspector). The cinematography was outstanding. This is a very interesting take on the Jack the Ripper murders, and seemed quite credible, probably because of the attention to detail for the period. There are some gory bits, although I did not feel these were gratuitous due to the subject matter of the film...however, I don't recommend this film for anyone who is a bit squeamish. Overall, the acting was quite engrossing and it was easy to get lost in Victorian London for two hours.
Rating:
Summary: Comic Book Villain
Review: The bizarre nature of the Jack the Ripper case has evolved into a mystique that captivates minds to this day. Who killed those women? What became of the killer? Though the Ripper case was pretty small potatoes compared to some recent killers, taking the lives of seven women, the perpetrator is recorded as the first celebrity murderer, marking part of the transition to the cynicism of the post-modern era. Directors Albert and Allen Hughes attempt to reflect that transition with the latest film of the case, the self-consciously post-modern "From Hell." The title of the movie reflects the return address of a letter received on October 16th, 1888, by Richard Lusk of the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee, claiming to be from the murderer, along with a piece of one victim's kidney. As an example of this movie's excesses, this preserved kidney is shown on-screen, stewing in blood in a box. This image is emblematic of the amount of blood shed before the camera, which is no small part of why this movie fails. Johnny Depp plays Inspector Frederick Abberline, assigned to the investigation of the Ripper murders. Some people may consider this a strike against the movie, owing to Depp's past reputation as a professional heartthrob. However, he has demonstrated a capacity for more sophisticated acting in the past, especially while playing opposite Christopher Walken in "Nick of Time" (1995). Dressed in a period costume and speaking in an assumed accent, though, he somehow falls flat. Abberline is depicted as a debauched denizen of London's opium dens. This should serve as a first clue that we have strayed from historicity. The legendary opium dens were primarily found in the book "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," by Charles Dickens. Few actual establishments ever existed, and even fewer lasted any length of time, since the racist police wanted to chase such dirty Oriental influences away as quickly as possible. Abberline is also fond of absinthe and laudanum, which is hinted to be a way of dealing with the traumatic death of his wife. No one ever bothers to speculate as to how a man can use so many narcotics, spend so much time wrapped up in delusions, and still function as a police officer. Jack the Ripper is dropped almost whole in our laps at the beginning of the movie as the first two murders are perpetrated very quickly. Abberline seeks to find the murdered, alongside his partner, Sergeant Peter Godley (Robbie Coltrane), who is semi-corrupt and fond of quoting Shakespeare. They get off to a bad start as they follow a false lead, a protection racket with knife-happy enforcers. The initial time spent on the investigation is spent trying to get prostitute Mary Kelly (Heather Graham) to testify against her harassers. Previews for this movie made much of a supposed romance between Abberline and Kelly. In the actual presentation, however, gives them very little screen time together, and the sudden connection of the two comes without provocation. Shortly thereafter, Kelly disappears from the movie. She is seen briefly outside a small Irish cottage, but once she's out, for all intents and purposes she's out. It's plain that Heather Graham was introduced to the story because she's pretty. Her character contributes no more to the movie than the other prostitutes, yet Graham is billed as one of the stars. She has limited screen time and lank lines. Her inclusion in the movie is an example of the abuse of the star system in movies. If you're going to see "From Hell" because you liked Graham in "Bowfinger" or "Austin Powers," save your money. She's a drag on this film. The movie is lushly photographed, attempting to capture the degradation of Whitechapel in 1888. Location shots throughout the Czech Republic, where more 19th-Century buildings survive, lend a depth of realism that studio work couldn't reproduce. However, the reality of the environment is interrupted with such modern devices as stop-motion photography, and pans of camera angles that the average Londoner of that day wouldn't have been able to perceive. Some of the shots are marred by a comic-book appearance. This is not surprising, since the movie is based on a graphic novel by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell. In the transition from comic to film, however, the Hughes brothers elect to retain many of the visual elements of a comic book. Mixing images creates a very post-modern appearance that doesn't jibe well with the historical origins of the film. Moreover, the plot is too complex. Dragging in issues relating to Freemasonry, venereal disease, Queen Victoria, the Catholic Church, early psychiatry and crude medicine, anti-Semitism, misogyny, and class conflict, the story gallops along at a relentless pace, giving viewers very little time to pause and drink in what they've just seen. The frenetic pace is very tiring. Perhaps the Hughes brothers would have been better served trying to turn this into a TV miniseries. On the other hand, if they'd done that, they couldn't fit in the nudity, drug use, and profound amounts of blood. There have been some very good historical films of the Jack the Ripper case. "The Lodger" (1944) comes quickly to mind. This movie, despite the battery of names supporting it, never makes the transition to a movie from the comic book from which it came.
Rating: 
Summary: From Hell
Review: From Hell is an okay second-rate thriller, but too slow, too predictable, and too poorly directed to be anything more. This movie was supposed to be incredibly haunting, but it was even scary. there were some casting mistakes: like Heather Graham, who plays a prostitute that is the final target of Jack the Ripper. She did not give a very bad performance, but she did give a weak one. She has no talents whatsoever as an actress and the expressions on her face is so fake that you get tired iof her very quickly. Johnny Depp gives a strong performance, but you can't really understand what he's tyring to say. It seems like he keeps sluring everything. Like he's mumbling through out the whole movie. So, if you want to see some thrills, go see the movie. But if you are looking for a great thriller, I suggest you go see something else.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Darkest Films of the Year
Review: "From Hell" is not for people with weak stomachs. This is a dark and disturbing thriller that will keep you up at night. The action may not be fast paced, but it's one hell of a story! The movie is about the notorious "Jack the Ripper". A mysterious person has been roaming around, slaughtering women left and right, leaving each murder more gruesome and puzzling than the last. A detective who has "visions" and the smarts to solve murder cases is the only one who stands a chance to find out just who is Jack the Ripper, and why the murders are taking place. What he finds are twists, surprises, and an unspeakable conspiracy. The film was brilliantly directed and the cinematography was outstanding. The acting was also very good and believable. There are a few parts in the movie which seem slow and kind of drags the movie out. Some of the violence in the movie is hard to watch, but is very neccisary. This isn't a movie you're going to want to see over and over again, due to it being so disturbing and graphic. Please, if you are a parent, DO NOT bring you children to this movie. I cannot tell you how many parents I saw at the movie with 6 and 7 year olds. All in all, this was a very good movie. It's not one I'm going to watch over and over again, but it is worth seeing. You may not like it if you're expecting a horror movie that will make you jump out of your seat. It certianly scares you with its disturbing elements. See the movie for yourself and draw your own conclusions. I thought this was a great movie with brilliant directing, acting, and most of all, story.
Rating:
Summary: MURDER BY DECREE
Review: "FROM HELL" is an interesting visual exercise with a rich and haunting musical score. The performances are all very good, though Heather Graham as a whore in 1888 is a hell of a stretch (Heather Graham as a whore in 2001 would be a stretch). Ian Holm is creepily effective as a royal doctor with an agenda. The ending is very wonky, coming out of left field. But for me, having been around long enough to have watched a lot of movies over the last thirty years, I have to say I got a nagging sense of déjà vu. At least one reviewer here has already mentioned the similarity between this film and the 1979 Bob Clark film "MURDER BY DECREE." The similarities are quite striking. Except for the fact that MBD (made 20 years before the graphic novel FROM HELL was published) had as its detectives Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson (Christopher Plummer and James Mason), "FROM HELL" could qualify as a re-make. Both flicks have: (A) the detectives becoming involved with Mary Kelly while trying to stop her murder, (B) a royal physician involved in a cover-up, (C) the Masons secret order trying to save the monarchy, (D) an illegitimate baby born to the same historic royal suspect in both movies (you even have amazingly similar madhouse scenes in which the detective visits the baby's mother - Genevieve Bujold in the first movie), (E) a psychic who uses laudanum (Donald Sutherland in MBD), (F) a killer transported by coach and - (G) in what may be a visual reference to MBD by the Hughes brothers - the use of oversized black contact lenses in the eyes of the killer at one point in "FROM HELL" which is the same technique used to make the killer's eyes scary in MBD. The near-to-final images of both films (by the sea shore) are almost identical. There are probably many other similarities, but it's been a long time since I've seen MBD. "FROM HELL" is obviously a slicker movie (22 years worth of additional technological advances in filmmaking plus a much, much larger budget) but both it and the 1999 graphic novel on which it is based owe a huge debt of inspiration to "MURDER BY DECREE" which for my money is the more entertaining vehicle. So ... just a caution that not everyone will think "FROM HELL" quite as original as many younger viewers believe.
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