M. Night Shyamalan does it again

Rating: 9/10 (2 August 2002)

**MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD**
The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable were both truly unique pieces of filmmaking, so when I went to go see Shyamalan's latest flick I had fairly high expectations, and boy I was not disappointed. Signs is quite possibly one of the best movies of the year.
Signs is about a reverend who has lost his faith after the death of his wife. One day his family discovers a mysterious crop circle in their backyard. Throughout the movie Shyamalan drops little, delicious breadcrumbs of information which signifies that something major is going to take place, and I gobbled up each bit like sweet candy.
The acting by everyone in this film was superb, especially Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix. What I loved about this movie was the sense of shear dread that the movie creates, and it goes to show that it is not seeing an oozing, bloody monster that makes a movie "scary", but rather it's the thought of it.
My only qualms with the movie are its last 15 minutes. Without revealing what happened, let's just say it felt a little out of place with the tone of the rest of the movie. Also, at times the movie can get a little melodramatic. But, despite that, Signs is a true marvel of a movie, and I encourage everyone to go see it. If M. Night Shyamalan continues making more movies like this, he definitely has a bright future ahead of him.
I rate this film 9/10.