I See The Single Most Over-rated Film This Side Of "Titanic"

Rating: 5/10 (31 March 2000)

As an avid mystery film buff, I refused to read a single review of "The Sixth Sense" ~ to the point that I wandered away when any of my friends began discussing it.
That's how serious I was about trying not to accidentally stumble upon "the big secret."
So, having missed it at the theaters, I pre~ordered the DVD and waited.
And waited.
Yesterday it arrived. I decided to hold off on watching it until tonight, my birthday [shameless effort to receive multiple emailed birthday greetings].
Words cannot describe my shock at having "discovered" the "big secret" a mere SE7EN minutes into the film. So amazed was I that I was certain that the obvious answer must have been a red herring: surely anyone with half a brain would have determined the incredibly obvious secret when I did.
I was expecting a sock~me~in~the~gut~I~never~saw~that~coming surprise, a la "The Usual Suspects." Or even "Shallow Grave." Or at the very worst, "Carnival of Souls" or "Rosemary's Baby."
Nope.
It was exactly as I suspected.
This is a well~acted, nicely~paced, moderately~interesting thriller.
Haley Joel Osment's performance is memorable and, along with Jude Law's in "The Talented Mr. Ripley," was the best of 1999's Best Supporting Actor turns. For the first time in several years, a child actor actually delivers a riveting, completely~believable performance. For me, the problem with young actors is that [because by definition, they *are* young] they always seem to be acting. This kid is world~class.
But contrary to popular opinion, this is decidedly *not* Bruce Willis' best work to date. Although he's good here, that honor would go to his tortured Vietnam vet in the excellent "In Country," which I urge you to rent.
Toni Collette does well as Osment's caring mother, but this is no Oscar~worthy turn: she's simply not around enough to serve as much more than a plot device.
The famed "I see dead people" line finally rolls around at :47 and if you haven't cracked this by then, give up and fast~forward.
***SEMI~SPOILER ALERT***
Disregard the reviews here which claim that if you fail to realize the importance of "The Sixth Sense" then you just didn't get the complex dialogue. It's not complex in the least. At best, it's serviceable. The story is lifted from the original "Carnival of Souls." Those who want you to believe that this is the greatest horror/thriller ever haven't seen "The Exorcist" or "Rosemary's Baby."
Let alone "Fallen."

** of **** Niro~Stars And Happy Birthday