Smart Idea.......... Terrible Delivery

Rating: 3/10 (15 June 2008)

I was hoping for a good movie. I was hoping for a good movie from M. Night Shyamalan, who I know is capable of a great movie, but in whom I have been disappointed with lately. I loved "The Sixth Sense", and thought "Signs" was pretty good. As of right now, I am not sure if "The Happening" or "Lady In The Water" is my least favorite. And unlike his other movies, M. Night Shyamalan doesn't have a role in "The Happening", which makes me wonder if even he was disappointed with this movie.
The idea was good and original, and I honestly feel like it could have been a great movie. There are many things that this film presents to the viewer to make them think, and in the end form their own opinion. Ideas that are indeed scary, and not that far fetched. Things that are hard to imagine, but not really that unrealistic..... which makes the "Ideas" in the movie truly scary!!! However, in my opinion, the movie didn't capitalize on its own ideas. And the movie didn't even come close to capturing the tension and terror that would go along with its own idea/ story.
(Start Spoilers) Basically after years of abusing our planet with pollution, etc, ... nature takes the offense. Basically the movie talks about how plants can produce toxins to defend against threats. Plants finally determine that humans are the environments biggest threat and starts to produce a toxin that targets the humans. The story goes on to explain that humans have a genetic chemical/ programing that makes us want to live and survive. However the toxins that the plants are producing, alter that "programming", so instead of wanting to live..... we are programed to want to die. So once exposed to the toxins, we become confused and end with us committing suicide. (End Spoilers)
Like I said, really creative (but not unrealistic) idea. Something that would be devastating and truly scary!!!
But unfortunately, other than the basic idea, this movie has nothing. It is not scary. It seemed undeveloped. The movie seemed very stretched out, for the content that was made for it. (In current form, would have made a better 1hour episode for Twilight Zone or something like that.) The acting was horrible. I get that they were trying to be "real people" in a "real situation" and not actors in a movie. But even cutting some slack for that reason, I didn't buy them in their roles.
Sorry, I wanted to love this. But in all honesty, this movie was painful for me to sit through.