A needlessly complex script strangles the director's vision.

Rating: Null/10 (5 December 2002)

Signs is the film that confirms that much talked about director and writer M. Night Shyamalan is a much better director than he is a writer. At least for source material such as this.
When adding up everything in the film, you're left with negatives. For every plot point, there is one that doesn't make any logical sense. Even if you can ignore the fact that the aliens are taking over a water-filled planet and water is their poison. Even if you can ignore the sappy, anticlimatic rushed ending that's over before you know it.
If you can ignore the plot holes, there is suspense to spare; you come to care about these people. There are cool moments as well; the viewer at times feels like they're right there. I mean, RIGHT THERE in the middle of the invasion, when the family turns their TV on to find extraterrestrial flying saucers over every major city. There isn't a greater feat a director can accomplish. Unfortunately this is squandered by a sloppy screenplay I won't go into detail about for fear of ruining important plot points.
If you can check your brain at the door for some suspense entertainment, by all means, go ahead. But in terms of suspension of disbelief, which is very important...the script falls flat on its face.