Edgy, softly creepy and vintage MNS

Rating: 7/10 (7 October 2008)

MNS has been bludgeoned to death because he didn't repeat "The Sixth Sense" with his career. That seminal film had the "twist" that most of us saw coming and righteously enjoyed nonetheless. But it branded movie-goers' expectations from this director. "Unbreakable", which lacked the "twist" of TSS, again telegraphed this director's intentions of illuminating the "between the lines". "Signs" alerted everyone that he was seriously not focusing "the same ol same". An alien invasion with only trace-aliens? Who would'a thought? By the time "Signs" came along, it was clear MNS was looking at things through a new lens. "The Village" nailed it. Critics talked about the "twist" (still demanding a 'twist ending')as disappointing. "The Village" wasn't about a "twist ending". "The Village" was a love story. About the courage of love, told "out of kilter" And then what should we expect from "The Happening"? Quite naturally, it is a story between the lines. Told from a perspective that's easier and easier to fear ... we're not in control of things like we think we are. Nature might hold a surprise or two. I don't like to make comparisons like this but MNS has, from the first, called up those "Twilight Zone" kind of visions. Invites us to "look at things ... this way". He's done it again. Dismiss it. Knock it. But if you're honest ... it's hard to ignore the film's metaphor. We live in strange times and strange things can and do happen. Why are the honeybees disappearing? ... they really are, you know. It's called Colony Collapse Disorder. You can look it up. It's scarier than the movie. Or part of the movie. That's how MNS works. Much decent.