Much more than a thriller

Rating: 9/10 (14 February 2006)

The power of the Sixth Sense lies on its critics. The rush of so many people to ascertain they had got it, shows how brilliant the script and the direction was. When the credits rolled we all felt fooled by Shyamalan, we all thought there must have been a flaw we haven't noticed. But no, the story is flawless, the hints were there and everything does make sense in the end. Basically, it's so intelligently made it's intimidating, hence the reaction. Shyamalan doesn't fool you, he simply outsmarts you. To paraphrase a quote from the movie, he makes you see only what he wants you to see. This is why you have to watch this film at least twice in order to appreciate how masterfully crafted it is.
Now the acting. A movie can take pride if one of the leads throws an exceptional performance. When you have two magnificent, Oscar caliber performances, what more can you really ask from your actors. This is both Bruce Willis' and Haley Joel Osment's best role to date. And it makes the Sixth Sense the only movie after Leon that the adult/child relationship really works.
Let me finish by saying that I consider a major spoiler even the title Sixth Sense. In order to truly enjoy this movie, you shouldn't know it has anything to do with supernatural. What's the fun when you know even before the first minute that this is about ghosts? Not to mention that the word twist is a spoiler by itself! Once more, I urge everyone NOT to read reviews before going to see a movie and if they have to take advice only ask if it was either "good" or "bad". That's it. Nothing else.