Watching The Happening, I experienced a deep sense of sadness. This was one of the summer movies I had been looking forward to, but it's not good on any level, no matter how desperately its supporters try to prop it up. I have read the argument that those who dismiss the film as "empty" are missing the point, and that it's designed as a thoughtful piece. The problem is, regardless of how it's designed, it is horribly executed. I can appreciate a movie that's about characters facing fear and death and the unknown in the midst of a crisis where there are no answers. But M. Night Shyamalan has failed to tell this story competently. The actors appear uncomfortable, the direction is sloppy, and the screenplay is unforgivably bad.
Shyamalan, of course, exploded into the public's awareness with The Sixth Sense, a movie about which I have had more arguments than I would care to remember. To me, it's as empty a production as you're likely to find. It has one thing going for it - the twist - and if you're unlucky enough to figure it out early during your first viewing, the experience of watching the movie loses a lot of its luster. I disliked The Sixth Sense when I first saw it and I haven't moderated my opinion since then. Lest I be labeled as a "Shyamalan hater," it should be noted that I liked Unbreakable, Signs, and even The Village (a movie that was fairly widely trashed). But I could not defend The Lady in the Water nor can I defend The Happening.
The discouraging thing about The Happening is that it looks like it's the product of someone who doesn't know what he's doing. This is not a brave, maverick story where elements don't gel. This is an embarrassment where the actors are wooden, the camera work is pedestrian, the atmosphere is absent, and the dialogue is laughable. The Happening is flawed on many levels and, in conjunction with The Lady in the Water causes me to wonder whether Shyamalan has given all he has to give. Contrary to what one critic wrote, his career is not over, but it will be interesting to see where it goes. Certainly, it's hard to imagine this movie making much money this weekend. Word-of-mouth will be horrible. This is a film where the public at large will agree with the majority of critics, and The Happening will take its place along Speed Racer among the biggest wrecks of 2008's summer season.
to say The Sixth Sense is an "empty" film is to completely miss the point. any reviewer who says the film only has a twist going for it, should be embarrassed.
mebe thats why i didn't read your book nor do i read your reviews, James.
i've seen The Sixth Sense many times, and each time, i was moved by the humanity in the film. it's not hard to see what it's really about. it's not about a Big Twist, it's not about ghosts.
as for The Happening, it has some of the quirkiest characters in any film. take for example, the plant guy and his wife who offer Wahlberg and his wife a ride. that should have been an indication for you to see that it's not "bad acting." the kinds of shots Shyamalan uses on his actors is another indication of his intentions.
for more, read here: http://storibord.blogspot.com/20...-
happening.html
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