Disappointing

Rating: 3/10 (20 June 2008)

I include "Sixth Sense" and "Unbreakable" at the top of my personal mood-piece masterpiece list. Shyamalan has shown an uncanny ability in the past to conjure up tension and dread almost out of nothingness on the screen. That takes talent.
However, with this movie, it seems that he has become overconfident, overusing some of his old tricks to the point of gimmickry. The overuse of staccatos and things jumping out of the corner of the screen show that he was really reaching for the cheap scares, perhaps to hide a weak script. And that's were the problem lies: A weak script. Unlike his previous films, which were patient, well modulated, detailed, and flowing, this movie seems to just clunk along without creating any tension, character empathy, or dread. It doesn't do a very good job at making us care for the characters. The story feels hackish because the dialog is hackish.
I don't know the man, obviously, but judging by his latest work, he's become overconfident. Overconfidence breeds complacency. His complacency is evident everywhere, especially in the halfhearted script. I hope Shyamalan takes some time to prepare his next script.
I get the feeling he probably needs to get his ego in check as well.