Amazing film that captures the genius of Shaymalan.

Rating: 10/10 (3 August 2002)

Signs is an amazing movie that exemplifies the true genius that Shayamalan brings to the film world. Shayamalan is one of the most original and brilliant filmmakers ever. His method of "show, don't tell" brings to the Supernatural Thriller what Stanley Kubrik brought to Science Fiction. Signs is the third film in a trilogy of similar but uniquely creative films: The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, and Signs. Signs moves slowly through the lives of the Hess family: a sworn ex-reverend (Gibson), his much younger brother (Phoenix), and two children. The film jumps right into riddle and foreshadow, then decides to play the field (no pun intended) until the breathtaking final chapter of the film.
After an arrangement of crop signs appear across the globe and in Hess' backyard, his judgement becomes clouded by suspicion, faith, and philosophy. Throughout the film we are exposed to the highway of thought that has been bottled up inside Hess' head. This mixes with the strange supernatural insinuations and pan/tilt pop-up terror. Gibson and Phoenix turn in excellent performances, Gibson now taking on the role of Shayamlan's recurring "quiet protagonist". Phoenix switches gears from his spectacular and underappreciated performance in "Gladiator", to that of a teenager-like adult who acts as both a younger brother and a second father to the children. Signs is a movie that will both frighten you to the point of tears and put you in a deep mediation long after the credits role.

The Green Saga's rating: 10 out of 10