Signs
Movie Reviews | Aug 2nd, 2002
Starring Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin, Abigail Breslin, M. Night Shyamalan, Cherry Jones
Written By: M. Night Shyamalan
Directed By: M. Night Shyamalan
Another movie I was looking forward to this summer. I thought this film was good but like Unbreakable, it left you wanting more. Which might have been the idea? The story is about Graham Hess, who used to be a Reverend when he lost faith from an accident a couple of months ago.
He has two children, played by Rory Culkin (Morgan) and Abigail Breslin (Bo) and his younger brother Merrill, played by Joaquin Phoenix. The kids discover a huge crop circle in their property and the family doesn’t know what to think of it. They think it’s some other farmers pulling a prank. Until they see that this is happening all over the world. I think M. Night is becoming one of the best directors out there and people will keep seeing his films just because he’s directed it. His style is old school and I like that. This film definitely has a Hitchcock feel to it.
The way he uses the surround sound in the theaters is terrific. The scary stuff in the film was more in the mind than actually seeing it. I thought they could have used a little bit of more scariness though. The stuff he did use was very effective though. One of the most effective usage in the film was the film score by James Newton Howard. The opening credits was like the old hollywood films where it’s just the credits and the score. the text came and another came real fast trying to scare you. the score definitely has a Pyscho feel to it. The acting was really good too. This film was the first film to shoot stuff after 9/11 and you can see in their eyes the seriousness when something emotional is happening. There was one scene with Joaquin Phoenix looking at the tv screen and sees something. His facial expression is what many had when seeing 9/11 on tv, myself included. Mel Gibson gives another good performance, but I think Joaquin Phoenix took the spotlight this time. He was funny and just seemed to be more likable.
Though the likable part was intended. The kids did a good job too. The girl who played Bo was so adorable. M. Night keeps appearing in his films and this one he has the biggest part and an important part. Another thing I liked about this was all the humor. I was glad that was added in so I wouldn’t have a complete heart attack. Give the people a breather is a good idea. One scene with the tin foil hats was hilarious. Another funny scene was when Graham and Merrill are running around the house trying to get the perpetrator on their property.
I liked how some things that were brought up during the course of the film, came together at the end. I still felt their was something missing towards the end of the film. This movie is also about faith. That has the biggest role in this film, not the crop circles or aliens. Don’t go into this movie thinking it’s going to be like this huge scary horror movie because you will be disappointed. This is probably one of the best movies this summer so go see it. Bring some water along with you, you might need it. (You’ll know what I mean after seeing the film hehe)
Favorite Scenes: when Graham and Merrill run around the house, The town scene, In the Basement scene.
Rating:
Running Time: 0 minutes
Overall Rating:
