If you don't get M. Night Shyamalan...

Rating: 6/10 (14 June 2008)

Then stop watching his movies.
M. Night Shyamalan, in my opinion, is one of the greatest and most under-appreciated directors out there today. His directing style is very distinct, understated, graceful, and all-around excellent. With "The Happening," he's managed to bring out a movie that's very different from his other films, but the similarities it bears in comparison is definitely worth noting.
"The Happening" contains the understated, slow cinematography that the vast majority of his films have, and if you need action in every shot, this is definitely not a movie for you. This film is about reality, and Shyamalan incorporated a good deal of realism into the dialogue, the cinematography, and the events taking place. The thing that I loved about the R rating was that it didn't take away from the movie at all, it allowed the movie to continue in the realism vein. It wasn't unnecessary or shamelessly graphic, it merely added to the film in a way that "the apocalypse" (if you wish to view the events in the film as such) would ACTUALLY happen.
What most people don't understand about Shyamalan's films is that they're meant to be psychological thrillers...not a thriller or a "scary" movie. His movies are meant to make you think, and they're meant to be understated and slow-paced. That's his style, and most people don't understand what he's trying to do there. I feel that this movie will get that kind of criticism, because people go to see it with the expectation that they'll be scared. Yes, there are parts that make you jump, but you won't get frightened.
If you like M. Night Shyamalan's films, then you won't be disappointed with "The Happening." If you haven't seen any of his films beforehand, I highly recommend watching "Unbreakable" or "Signs" first before seeing "The Happening," so that the pacing and the dialogue won't confuse you. I strongly encourage everyone to see it, but go with an open mind. It's an excellent movie that isn't to be missed.