This movie blew me away...

Rating: Null/10 (8 August 2002)

M. Nyght has created a tale that absolutely blew me away. I tried to stay away from spoilers before going to see this movie, and I'm glad I did. All I knew was that it had to do with aliens, crop circles, and was set on a small farm. For all those that have yet to see this movie, I think you should know that this movie is not about aliens, but don't let anyone ruin it for you. There is not a twist at the end like the sixth sense or unbreakable.. the whole movie is twisted.
The performances are top notch. I peg Mel Gibson to at least get nominated for Best Actor, and if he doesn't.. that's a shame. Joaquin Phoenix plays his part well and so do the children. Even M. Nyght's small but important character was performed well.
The story is great, once you know what the story is. M. Nyght tells his tale like a master. This is one scary movie up to the very end. It's got the 'jump' parts and it's full of 'chills' and suspense for characters you beleive in. Even without the last ten minutes, this movie is great. But the last ten minutes punches you with emotions that are not suppose come from a movie like this, and you won't see it coming.
SPOILERS AHEAD. I felt compelled to write this because I feel strongly about this movie and people who trash it. I feel that people who bash this movie as 'a let down ending' just don't get it. This movie is NOT ABOUT ALIENS. This movie is about Graham getting his faith back. Aliens are a device to mislead you into thinking this is what the movie is about, and he does a good job of misleading you. When else can you question your faith unless you beleived the world was going to end? Graham doesn't even get his faith back in that dire circumstance.. it's later when he sees the 'signs'. That is why I think people don't get it. They want a big, alien gunfight or something, and are disappointed because he gives you something else entirely, a different movie. I don't know many movies where a subplot becomes the main plot, and the main plot doesn't mean as much once you realize the subplot was what he's been trying to say all along. It's brilliant. It works on so many levels. Watch the movie again and pay attention to Rory Culkins first couple of lines. Wow. Pay attention to M. Nyght's character talk to Graham Hess. All the loose ends get tied up. Sure the movie isn't perfect.. there are some plotholes that deal with the aliens and whatnot, but it's near the best movie experience I've ever had. As I sat in awe at the end, I felt wonder at being fooled into thinking I was getting a movie about aliens.. but I got a whole different movie instead. Good stuff.