Think ...

Rating: 8/10 (18 June 2008)

I never intended to watch The Happening. It was just a boring day as usual and I thought I'd watch the film. Surprisingly, it turned out much better than I expected! I don't know why so many people seemed to have hate it ... but I definitely thought it was good. The film kept me thinking a lot, which is what Shyamalan wants his viewers doing. The storyline is really good and definitely made me wonder throughout the film what that "natural crisis" was (which we eventually found out halfway). But that isn't what Shyamalan's trying to do. He doesn't want the viewer to enter the theater, watch the film, figure out what the crisis is and then leave. He wants to make you ... think. Think and try to get this message he's getting across. Good thing is, I got the message :P (And I shall not reveal it, so as to make you keep thinking ;) )
-----((SPOILER AHEAD))-----
For those who said that the film has a typical happy ending, ... obviously you were just thinking about Elliot and his wife. The main bit you should be thinking about is the ending where the whole crisis begins to take place in another country (which I think was France). That's the ending. And I'm sure people killing themselves due to "the happening" isn't a happy thing to cheer on about.
So overall, I think that the film wasn't the best film I've ever seen in my whole entire life that it deserves such a fantastic score :P But, it was a great film. Great but not the best. It got my full attention, as I sat there wanting to know what happens next and also thinking about what may happen next or why something may be happening. And also mainly, thinking about this message he's trying to get across.
I'd recommend this film to those who really want to think and not watch the film for the sake of entertainment. I wouldn't recommend those who love horror flicks to watch it, either. It is filled with gore and whatnot, ... but if you don't like being made to think, then it wouldn't be good for you :P
Overall rating: 8/10