 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Monday, December 1st
|
|
|
 |
| |
| Movie Forums :: Reviews :: FiLm Fr3ak Freaks Out Over "Signs" |
|
Posted on 7/25/02
FiLm Fr3ak Freaks Out Over "Signs"
| Sponsored Links |
|
|
|
|
| Rating... |
|
| Poster |
|
|
M. Night Shyamalan's newest film, Signs, combines an interesting subject (crop circles) with a well-respected director (Shyamalan) and several of today's hottest actors (Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix). The result is a movie you will want to watch time and time again.
The film's trailers and website seem to lead you in the "general direction" of the movie without revealing too much about what the film is actually about...a marketing ploy that I feel will pay off greatly in the end. As a movie reviewer, I hate to read/write reviews that give away a movie, while the makers of the film try so hard to save the real plot for the actual viewing. In reading several reviews that "slam" this film, however, I will deviate from my normally brief review.
Signs is a film, I feel, that was beautifully made, and deserves at least one viewing from everyone regardless of what the critics say/write. I say "see it for yourself and make up your own mind." I feel you will not be disappointed. Signs is reminiscent of Shyamalan's intriguing and fascinating prior films, thick with underlying meaning, and tense chills.
Shyamalan has a knack for evoking hair-raising moments without the need for gore and violence. Instead, it's fear of the unknown that gets in the pit of your gut, and Signs is directed in such a way that shows us as little as possible. Regardless, you are all the more afraid because of it.
The movie is set 45 miles outside of Philadelphia, on the farm of Graham Hess (Mel Gibson), a former Reverend who lost his faith following the car accident death of his wife. He has two children, Morgan (Rory Culkin) and Bo (Abigail Breslin). Hess' brother Merrill (Joaquin Phoenix) lives on the farm with the family.
Your attention is grabbed from the very first minute of the movie! In the film's opening scene, "Father" Hess is awakened from sleep by his children's screams. Or was he? Then we see the first "sign;" a giant crop circle that has mysteriously appeared in Hess' cornfield. Chills will roll down your spine with the phrase "I think God did it"...It is far from the ONLY chill you will get watching this movie; soon the whole globe is shown to be covered with cornfields branded with these mysterious "signs." Signs of what? There is an explanation in the movie, which we will leave in the movie. As I said: I don't want to ruin anything for you. And as for the film's real (underlying) message? Spirituality, faith, and fate.
The actors are exceedingly believable in their roles. This reviewer can only hope that patrons give this movie a chance. I was on the Internet only an hour after my private viewing spreading the word "GO SEE THIS ONE!" Tears still wet on my face. It isn't to often you get a movie that sticks with you and causes you to question life and fate in general. This one succeeds where so many others have tried and failed.
This is Shyamalan's second picture in his trilogy on life and the meaning thereof. I cannot wait to see the third.
It's not Independence Day meets Armageddon...more American Beauty meets Deep Impact & Men in Black 2 (without the comedy).
» Latest Reviews
» More Reviews in "Horror/Suspense"
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
