Great story, shame about the film

Rating: 3/10 (16 June 2008)

There seem to be a lot of comments suggesting that those who dislike this film have simply not "got it". I'm someone who is often guilty of saying exactly that, so despite hearing bad things I went to this film with an open mind. I'm glad I had heard bad things, though, as it saved me from the total disappointment that would have occurred had I gone in with hopes raised.
I have liked every single Shyamalan film to this point and I love the way he uses a low budget, mind games and intelligent stories to captivate in a way more common to independent cinema that mainstream blockbusters.
This film had all of those ingredients. The story, when you sit back and look at it, is incredible and the suspense created without expensive effects and score is classic Shyamalan. What a shame, therefore, that the sequence, screenplay and storyline come across as that of an amateur author who, despite having great ideas, can't weave them all together. The whole point of the story may be that nothing is explainable, but that doesn't excuse the lack of fabric holding the patchwork together.
Wahlberg's acting doesn't help. As his only remaining group of friends are busy shooting themselves his bland and unconcerned utterance of "Oh no" says it all.
Finally, the happy ending. What was the point in that? Expecting a great Shyamalan twist, we have only the predictable coupled with a schmootzy pile of shite which would make chick-flick fans wince at the cliché.
All in all, a waste of a great idea. Shyamalan will have to work very hard to regain his reputation after this mess.