Signs

Starring: Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin, Abigail Breslin, M. Night Shyamalan (cameo)
Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Thriller, Science Fiction
2002

Times Seen:
Tim: 2

Summary:A family comprised of an ex-preacher (Mel Gibson), his brother (Joaquin Phoenix), and his two children (Rory Culkin, Abigail Breslin) discovers a series of crop circles in their fields. As crop circles begin appearing all over the globe, their faith is tested, and the question is now- are humans doing this... or something else?

Review:

Tim: M. Night Shyamalan follows up The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable with a movie about crop circles... already, a shiver runs up my spine in excitement and anticipation. The man whom many are calling the next Steven Spielberg, takes a phenomenon like crop circles, and shows it through the eyes of a family. He takes a paranormal theme and wraps it around a very human drama. This makes the film irresistable.

The movie is also quite scary- make no mistake about that. It is intense, and it will stay with you long after you end the film. When I watched it, I heard a number of gasps and the occasional scream coming from the audience (in the theatre). In my own home, the gasps came from me. This is one of the scariest movies in recent memory.

Signs will make you think- one of its main themes is chance verses fate. It'll make you question your beliefs and give you something to contemplate. Shyamalan does such an incredible job presenting the story, but leaving room for the mind to wander, and for people to come up with their own judgments. This is the sign of a confident filmmaker.

Mel Gibson is terrific in this role. He plays a troubled ex-pastor, and you really see the drama unfold through his eyes. He has questioned his faith after the tragic death of his wife, and in the situation he finds himself in, doesn't know what to think or feel. Joaquin Phoenix is hilarious as Gibson's younger brother. After Gladiator, I expected to see a powerful dramatic performance by him. While he has his moments, he scores more points by being very funny than anything else. One scene to mention is when he is watching the news report on the TV in the closet. Watch when he leaps back, gasps, and covers his mouth with his hand. The scene is incredible, and it sums up the movie brilliantly.

Gibson's two children, played by Rory Culkin and Abigail Breslin do an amazing job as well. Shyamalan seems determined to prove he is one of the best child directors around. He did an outstanding job with Haley Joel Osment in The Sixth Sense, and he gets the most out of the young actors here. The cast is so perfect, which adds to the film immensely.

Signs is a very good motion picture. I do have some problems with it, however. I don't blame Shyamalan for any of it- he made a film about crop circles and aliens- that is damn hard to do without being completely cheesy and unbelievable. He makes a very good and believable film. A few points I didn't like were the following (if you haven't seen the film you won't understand and I'm not going to elaborate because I'd spoil it for you): Here is what I thought was stupid- poisonous gas... did you hear what I said? Amazing technology, genetic superiority...poisonous gas? Come on. At the end- why did he go back for the kid? Everyone else left that morning- why did he go back, and another question- how did he know where Gibson lived? Finally, what exactly were the crop circles? Did we ever get a real explanation? Slightly, but I would have liked a better explanation.

Like I said, the movie isn't perfect. But all things considering, it is remarkable. I think every man, woman, and child in America should see this film. It will make you think, question your own faith, and most importantly, scare the crap out of you.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend:
The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, The Village, Field of Dreams, Gladiator, Ransom, The Arrival