M. Night Shyamalan strikes again...

Rating: 8/10 (4 August 2002)

M. Night Shyamalan strikes again, and this time it's with a story that makes you laugh, makes you jump and even brings a tear to your eye. And while the obvious theme is the small family's struggle against the dark forces that threaten their lives, the deeper themes of faith, love and loss ring true and provide a richness that is hard to find in most of today's films.
No movie has made my heart pound quite as quickly as it did during this one. M. Night creates an atmosphere where fear of the unknown and imaginations run wild, builds tension quicker than any slimy scary looking alien could. His use of long shadows and unknown sounds make the tension rise, just as he brings you back down with smooth easy humor delivered by Mel Gibson's wry wit or through the antics of his brother (Joaquin Phoniex) and children (Rory Culkin, Abigail Breslin).
I recommend this movie as much for its fabulous story telling as for its fantastic filming. M. Night uses creative staging and his own unique style to create an unsettling atmosphere.
I give this movie a 9 out of 10 and hope that we get to see more of M. Night Shyamalan in the future...i look forward to it.