Good, but...

Rating: 7/10 (14 June 2008)

I'm really not sure about this one. Obviously nothing Shymalan does is likely to live up to his initial, innovative success with The Sixth Sense, but they're all very imaginative and original. The premise underlying this one is particularly chilling, I think, because it has a basis in reality. I don't think anyone has ever lived whose bones never break (the basic premise of Unbreakable), but evidently plants are capable of changing rapidly to defend themselves, even if the extent to which this idea is carried in Shyamalan's new film seems quite ridiculous.
Personally I'm not sure about Wahlberg's acting - he seems either lethargic, apathetic or simply not involved a lot of the time. That said, there are some great moments: particularly the scene where he and the little girl, Jess, comfort each other, seen from a distance. I think the best character has to be the psychotic old Mrs Jones.
The full horror of what happens when subjected to the 'threat' is always hinted at but never fully revealed, in line with the certificate no doubt. The ending is suitably chilling for me, but overall the driving force behind the idea for the film is clearly the environmental band wagon.
It's a good film, but there's a slightly galling aftertaste.