Delicate and restrained

Rating: 9/10 (3 January 2011)

The Sixth Sense, was, as I first thought, a ghost story, but I was wrong; the movie is centered around human morals and emotions. Throughout the movie, there are only a few scenes that could be said as 'scary', however for the most part, the audience, is skillfully directed between the dialogue and emotions from Dr. Malcolm Crow and Cole Sear. The film for the most part is delicately restrained, and at times when the film climaxes it could have turned into a blood fest, however M. Night Shyamalan skillfully restrained this. Shyamalan creates a wonderfully dark yet surreal setting to the movie, introducing the relationship and trust between Dr. Malcolm Crow and Cole Sear developing at a realistic pace.
What I liked about this movie was that apart from several scenes, there were barely any scenes that were horrifying, but instead, Shyamalan focuses the film instead on the dialogue between Malcolm and Cole. The film, moves at a slow, steady pace - just enough for the audience to totally absorb what's happening, and want another scene. The movie has stellar acting by Bruce Willis (as the slightly depressed child psychiatrist) who played his role perfectly. Another stellar performance was by Haley J. Osment, as his role of Cole. His maturity for the role, and well delivered lines are a far contrast from the typical whiny/annoying kids who act now - the line between cute and funny, to whiny and annoying is now very, very small.
This film, which moves at a steady pace, will be extremely rewarding to anyone who wants to wait the one hour fifty minute duration time. The main story and the ending were well written, and acted. This film highlights a beautiful haunting score, by James Newton Howard, brilliant directing and a magnificent script by Shyalaman. This movie strongly deserves a 9 out of 10.