Is This Really 'Happening'?

Rating: 1/10 (15 June 2008)

For almost any other film, I would go into fairly great detail in describing why a movie is bad. For 'The Happening,' I simply don't want to. This is a film that tries to be the most original, most clever, most groundbreaking piece of work in the history of cinema. I will tell you now it is the EXACT opposite.
From the opening credits, you feel like you're being forced to like the movie. MNS is simply using his previous glory (Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Signs) to create a film that he thinks will sell. NO. NO. NO. NO. Trust me, by the end of the movie you will believe that he stole the aforementioned.
MNS's idea of suspense has become completely skewered. He has this lame idea of showing all the people in the world together, suffering in the same struggle. Plain and simple, IT DOES NOT WORK. He tries to make us care about the people, but we just can't!!! And I'm tired of hearing all this BS about "MNS's first R-Rated film." That's what MNS is banking on, and that's the only thing that will keep you watching: the deaths---which aren't that great to begin with. Aside from that, the plot is ABSOLUTELY PATHETIC...truly, YOU WILL NOT SEE A WORSE STORY IDEA IN MANY, MANY, MANY YEARS (if not in the history of film).
Then, we have the acting. Good lord, WHAT HAPPENED(no pun intended)??? Somehow, MNS manages to make the MARK WHALBERG look like a complete and total pussy. Zooey D has NO personality whatsoever, and simply acts as an annoying voice of reason. The child actors are HORRENDOUS, and the extras are potentially the worst of all time. The dialog is by far the worst of MNS and arguably the worst of all time.
During the entire movie you will ask yourself, "is this serious?" The answer is : yes and no. MNS tries to make the movie harrowing and even heartfelt---but then at the same time comical and quirky. Thus, MNS has gone legitimately INSANE. If you thought 'The Village' or 'Lady in the Water' was bad, just wait until you see this. I thought he really lost his touch when 'The Village' came out, but SOMEHOW they still fund this little punk (MNS) to make movies. At this point, from a producer's perspective, I'd make sure MNS would never make another movie in his life. He deserves to get his ass kicked after making crap cinema like this. Whoever said he was going to be the next STEVEN SPIELBERG should be shot.
I know I've forgotten a lot of what I wanted to say but please DO NOT SEE THIS FILM---IT IS A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY AND YOU WILL FEEL LIKE A DUMBASS AFTER PAYING TO WATCH IT---THIS IS THE LOWEST OF THE LOW---DON'T BOTHER. If you must see it then please, when you leave this movie, ask for your money back. I say this because you could get that money back, but you will never get the time you wasted back.
Again, there is so much to say about this awful and pathetic excuse for a film, but I can't say it all. Don't see it.
I would give this a star rating, but it does not deserve even NEGATIVE stars. The production company and virtually everyone who played a major role should be sued and shunned, especially MNS---who is on his way to become the next Uwe Boll.
Worst Movie Ever.