Horizon points to phenomenal "Signs"

Rating: Null/10 (8 August 2002)

After the box office smash hit of The Sixth Sense and the shaky, but
stable Unbreakable, M. Night Shyamalan succeeds masterfully
with his third suspense/thriller film Signs. Once again set in PA
only this time 40 miles away from Philly, Shyamalan centers his
story around a family living on a farm in Bucks County, PA. Mel
Gibson playes Graham Hess, a farmer who is also a former
reverend who after a very tragic event turned his back on his faith
and god. Joaquin Phoenix plays his younger brother Merill Hess.
Rory Culkin and Abigail Breslin (I think she may be sister to
Spencer Breslin from Disney's The Kid) play Gibson's children
Morgan and Bo.
This movie was in my opinion far better then Unbreakable and
really neck n neck with The Sixth Sense. Shyamalan's knack for
flashbacks at various intervals in the film shed a lot of light on the
"emotional troubles" the family is experiencing lately. Shyamalan
preps the audience in the very first scene to stay in the isolated
setting of the farm for the next two hours with the families discovery
of the sudden appearance of the crop circles in they're field. As to
what happens after they see these?........Well you'll just have to see
the film for yourself won't you?
The acting in this was phenomenal especially from the small
children who know something is up from the very beginning even
while they're dad and uncle remain with they're doubts. Gibson
gives an incredible emotional performance (although I still would
have preferred seeing Willis in Gibson's role after Willis's
performance in The Sixth Sense) and you come to find yourself
emotionally drawn in to the families woes also.
Not only was this film scary to the point of jumps and slight shrieks
or screams in the theatre, but it does have it's comedic moments.
Bo (Abigail Breslin) in particular is very cute and adorable with her
puzzling comments and actions (to not give too much away, an
obession she has concerning drinking glasses is by far absolutely
hilarious).
As much as I loved Signs though there is one thing that I found
myself to be dissapointed with. I won't say because it has to do
with a very crucial part of the film. See it for yourself though and
while your watching it keep in mind of something in particular from
The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable. In the end though Signs
message points out that whether or not you are a person who
believes things are just coincidence or luck that if you have a little
faith even the most horrifying experience will turn out alright in the
end.