Genius!

Rating: 10/10 (31 October 2005)

When I went to the cinema to watch Signs in the summer of 2002 I went there with high expectations of an intense, claustrophobic horror and in every way, it delivered. Finally, someone has decided to create an extra-terrestrial invasion movie that doesn't rely on special effects, galactic spaceships that can level cities and fancy hi-tech weaponry but on the reactions of one family. This movie had everything that I could've hoped for, the discreet appearance of the creatures, the claustrophobia it projected, the intense and moving memories of Graham Hess (Mel Gibson) and the determination. This movie never set out to become a blockbuster because in many ways it didn't have to. M. Night Shyamalan delivers to us every time a disturbing look at what could happen; watching Independence Day (1996) I soon realised that about twenty minutes into the movie that this was highly unfeasible (despite loving the movie) and the same for War Of The Worlds (1953/2005) but with Signs it uses accounts that we are familiar with, strange lights in the sky, crop-circles, worldwide confusion, these attributes are perfect and we know them! This is a scary look at perhaps feasible possibilities and has certainly made me think twice about what eyes could be watching us.
As for the performances, Mel Ginson delivers the best performance of his acting career since Braveheart (1995) with the powerful emotion he uses to deflect the death of his wife and the survival of his isomorphic son. Joaquin Phoenix completely alters his character from Gladiator (2000) from a tyrant to a loving uncle who will strive to keep his family from collapsing from panic. All in all, this movie is brilliant and those expecting a bloodbath are going to be disappointed!