Where MNS is Failing

Rating: 7/10 (15 June 2008)

In my opinion, The Happening was not as horrible as I've read from others... it had good points and bad points. The acting leaves a little to be desired and it's hard to believe better performances couldn't be mustered up by the cast. The writing seemed a bit "off" at times... with moments of feeling forced. Some of it gets quite campy.
The concept of the movie, and the overall story being told were decent. There are some "signature" MSN moments (which I won't reveal, but if you're a fan you'll recognize them). MSN does a good job with suspense and building tension, and interestingly inserted comic relief that keeps the story moving along. There's even an interesting cameo... and depending on your own interpretation, it seems to either pay homage to or flip the bird at another well-known director.
I can understand that MSN may not want to have a "twist" at the end of every movie... but where he has failed most dramatically in this recent effort is that the build up doesn't provide the expected payoff. What has made him such a good story-teller in the past is what is missing from The Happening. His movies are usually well organized puzzles where the pieces all fit together at the end revealing the bigger picture... but with The Happening, we are left with too many missing pieces to feel fulfilled over what the bigger picture is supposed to reveal.
I wanted to give this movie a higher score, but because of the things I've mentioned above, I can't. I went with a group of four other people, and in our group three of us liked it, one loved it, and one hated it. I was in the group that liked it.