SIGNS

With Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin, Patricia Kalember, Cherry Jones
Directed by M. Knight Shyamalan

What an amazing addition to the Shyamalan trilogy (which will make an amazing DVD box-set). No, Unbreakable wasn't a carbon copy of The Sixth Sense, and neither is Signs. What this talented young director brings to the table is innovative, intense filmmaking which relies greatly on the viewer's imagination to flesh out the intrigue. Signs ventures into visiting intelligent alien life. (But "intelligent" does not necessarily translate into "friendly"). Like his other films it is best to keep the details to a minimum to avoid spoiling it. By slowly pulling us into the film's characters and situation, Shyamalan succeeds in making us a part of the experience (my girlfriend was shitting herself, even when visual information was withheld). Even macho man Gibson can't spoil this crafty piece of work. He plays an ex-preacher who lost his wife and lives on a farm with his two kids and brother. One morning enormous crop circles appear in his cornfield. The phenomenon is all over the planet and seems far too huge and widespread to be a hoax. From here the tension and brooding exposition of the excellent filmmaking gift takes a hold and sweeps you up with the interplay of clues, horror, tension, humour, drama and suspense, refusing to let go of your attention as you're nailed to the screen (or your hands over your eyes like my girlfriend's case! - Having had something of a close encounter before, this was especially freaky for her). Individual incidents (be it gravely significant or seemingly small) all roll into one another to build up into one big consequential exposition. This is neither Independence Day nor Mars Attacks, this is an angle you've rarely experienced and I urge you all to get out there and see it before your friends blurt everything. Phoenix and the kids are great while the director also features in an extensive cameo. What makes Shyamalan a good director is the fact that he is a great cinematic writer.

6 / B
- PB

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