The Hypening...

Rating: 7/10 (13 June 2008)

Let me start by saying i was super excited to see this movie. NOT because of the extensive advertising, proudly proclaiming this to be "Shyamalans first R rated film," but because i hold this film maker in very high regards. From the 6th sense to the village, he wrote and directed 4 truly great films, establishing himself as the new master of suspense. The Hitchcock of our time. What made these films so effective was the way they worked on multiple levels - signs wasn't REALLY about aliens, but it was a way into a deeper story. He has a very natural ability to suck an audience in...
Then came lady in the water. Even though i knew next to nothing about the movie, i saw it in theaters. Unfortunately it turned out to be one of the WORST movies I've ever seen at the multiplex. However, i have been able to forgive M Night of this one self-indulgent flop. A Hollywood film for your little girls. Well, glad you got it out of your system...
SO, that brings us to the Happening, M Nights return to form it seemed. Well... yes and no. As with his earlier films, its not REALLY about what it seems. One big problem I had, which isn't necessarily Mr Shyamalans fault, is SO much was given up in the previews to the movie. The first half hour has little shock value due to what we've already seen on TV, and many more events later in the film are seen a mile away, again, because of our previous knowledge from the previews. Also, the supernatural element of the movie (which actually isn't too supernatural this time around) isn't shrouded in nearly as much secrecy as his previous works, which makes it harder to build suspense.
As with every one of Shyamalans efforts, you couldn't ask for a better or more appropriate cast. In a complete 360 from his roles in films like the Departed, Wahlberg plays a gentle, even goofy high school science teacher. Its nice to see a character in a horror situation keep his wits and not be reduced to over reacting (or over ACTing) or going mad. His wife is a interesting enough character, but isn't really given enough material to run with. All supporting actors fit their characters to a T, especially the scared military man and the weird plant guy.
The conclusion doesn't go for the knockout, as several of Shyamalans movies do, but thats OK. The story ends gracefully, and lingers for a bit, never really being wrapped up tightly. An appropriate ending given the nature of the story. Still, it will leave some audience members upset and feeling empty.
All in all, it was a satisfying experience, and the film makes good use of its R rating without using mindless gore. Still, i find myself waiting for M Night to return to top form...