Deserves to be seen in a theater

Rating: 8/10 (6 August 2002)

Manoj Night Shyamalan's newest film is also one that I like more than the other two he has made. Is it a better film than Sixth Sense and Unbreakable? I think so. Where I found Sixth Sense and its ending a bit gimmicky, and Unbreakable to be slower than molasses, Signs hardly ever tries to fool the audience with some weird twist, and it moves faster than Unbreakable, though not by much. And I like it that it's a fairly straightforward film. Some people are disappointed in this film. I can see why. Many expected a sci-fi thriller, but it's only part sci-fi thriller, and more of a personal-journey for the protagonist. I think if you keep that in mind before watching the movie, it will help you appreciate the movie and it's unfairly criticized ending a lot more. This is a good movie. A very good movie, with very good performances. I have never been a fan of Mel Gibson, but here he is just terrific. If there is one thing that Shyamalan does very well, it's getting his actors to project their very emotions onto celluloid. Everyone does a terrific job. Even the score is fantastic. It is one of the most memorable, most suspenseful scores I have heard in quite a while. I would also like to add, however, that Shyamalan is a writer/director whose style is really, I believe, an acquired taste. His dialogue often just sounds like dialogue, with little realism, and delivery of it is sometimes even less realistic. And his films move at a seemingly un-naturally slow pace. But films don't have to be realistic! They have to tell a story, and tell it well! And Shyamalan tells a very good story with Signs, and tells it very well. The film has many small flaws, but overall it's a real gem. ***1/2.