film: review

> SIGNS (2002)
A fresh and suspenseful film from writer/director M. Night Shyamalan

By John C. Lyons
Film Critic

Starring: Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin, M. Night Shyamalan

Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan

Written by: M. Night Shyamalan

Genre: Sci-Fi Thriller

Our Rating: 9 out of 10

M. Night Shyamalan broke into the mainstream with the huge surprise hit of 1999, the Sixth Sense. The following year he gave us Unbreakable, which got very mixed reactions (I liked it). After seeing dead people and looking at comic book characters from a completely different angle, he brings us his unique spin on visitors from space.

Signs is perfect in the ways it builds suspense and keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. All thanks to the script and the pacing, both by M. Night. Without giving anything away, the best part of this film is what you do not see. You hear the sounds (amazing effects work done here) and maybe you will see something in the next row of corn, but you never know. Most of the film gives you very little of anything, aside from crop circles, swirling country winds, and barking dogs that Graham Hess (Mel Gibson) and his family encounter. Just like Graham, we aren't really sure what is going on until he sees it too. That's where Signs succeeds, you get everything in small doses (similar to his other films) which slowly gain speed and then finally smack you in the face in the last act.

I can't remember the last "horror" movie that actually scared me. Most are laughable. X-Files TV episodes and psychological thrillers have done better in that department than anything Hollywood has recently pumped out that is supposed to be scary. But Shyamalan has found the key to scaring today's audiences. It's not what you blatantly see, but what you imply and how you keep its mystery alive. He shows the character's reactions in a way that actively affects his audience. Give the viewer just enough and let their imaginations fill in the rest. For a 32-year-old, M. Night Shyamalan could sure teach a lot of today's directors a thing or too. Go see this movie. Highly recommended.

I saw this film at the Tinseltown theaters on upper Peach Street in Erie.

PROs: Perfect casting and great script. Amazing sound-work.

CONs: The last few minutes and the wife back-story hurt this one from getting a perfect score.

(02-830)

related links:

Signs - official site