Surprisingly Good

Rating: 10/10 (3 August 2002)

After reading several reviews of this movie before attending a screening last night, I figured "Signs" had a 50\50 shot of entertaining me. Unfortunately, once again I placed far too much credibility in the hands of movie critics. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, from start to finish. The mood Mr. Shyamalan creates is at times quite intense. If you are the type of person who can't sit still and enjoy the moments of a movie that don't include vulgarity and excessive violence, this movie is not for you. However, if you are the type of moviegoer that can appreciate a nicely woven tapestry of ominous dramatic anticipation, without the lapses in pace that plague so much of what modern movies have become, I highly recommend this movie for you. The cast turns in a wonderful and moving performance. Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix are spectacular. M. Night Shyamalan does not allow you to leave the theater unfulfilled if you keep in mind one simple concept; true catharsis as it relates to the movie-going experience is rarely achieved through the spectacle of overwhelming special effects. Go see this movie.