An apocalyptic classic

Rating: 9/10 (21 November 2008)

I'm really not a big Shyamalan fan. But I've always respected his Kubrick-like pursuit to make his own style of movie rather than adopt the usual Hollywood formula.
I thought 'the 6th Sense' was interesting but I've never understood the hoopla surrounding it. I did find the Village to be an interesting film. But I thought Signs and the Lady in the Water were absolutely boring.
But 'the Happening' is easily his best film, IMO. In fact, I think its a classic and far superior to unrealistic and silly apocalyptic films such as Will Smith's "I am Legend" and Spielberg's 'War of the Worlds'.
The mystery of a mass suicidal apocalypse infesting the northeast cost of the US was very creepy and very realistic. The characters were sympathetic and often tragic-- especially the little girl's situation. And you actually felt for their safety rather than rooting for their demise.
And Shyamalan's usual ironic twist at the end had a great sense of poetic justice.
So I'd place this amongst the great apocalyptic films like:
Night of the Living Dead, The Stand, The Omega Man, Dawn of the Dead (both versions), Testament, Panic in the Year Zero, Invasion of the Body Snatchers (the original), 28 Days Later, The Day of the Triffids (BBC mini-series), The Mist,