Absolutely Phenomenal

Rating: Null/10 (4 August 2002)

ANYTHING COULD BE A SPOILER; CONTINUE AT YOUR OWN RISK
SIGNS is an incredible film. Like many folks, the trailers sucked me into the theater by giving me the impression of watching a two hour frightfest/thrill-ride with good acting and good writing. As with so many incredible works of art, a little preview only gives you the tip of the iceberg. A scary movie it is, but as seems to be the case with many genuinely frightening flicks, it doesn't really feel too unnerving while you're watching it. Only afterwards, when you enter your home, do you feel a little (or big) green man could be behind you.
Leaving the movie's fright factor (I'm not a great horror fan anyway), I was immeasurably impressed with the absolute power and the sheer beauty of this film. Shyamalan (or "Shamma-lama-ding-dong," as me and some folks I know like to call him) knows his craft down to the finest detail, and in SIGNS even adds some new terminology to the cinematic lexicon.
Gibson does a competent job as always, and Phoenix gives a very sturdy performance as well. The acting which practically floored me though, was that of the two children. One trait Shyamalan has demonstrated with his other two "modestly" budgeted films is the ability to show great performances by child actors, and SIGNS brings no exception.
When all's said and done, SIGNS is an intensely deep character
study, set against the backdrop of an alien invasion. Are the aliens important? Yes. Are they what the movie is about? Good heavens, no. Envision INDEPENDENCE DAY being brought to us by producers who were much more on the ball, and you're on your way to conjuring SIGNS.
SIGNS is beyond beyond. Mr. Shyamalan, can I have a glass of water?