Somewhat predictable but emotional strong tension

Rating: 8/10 (22 November 2002)

I didn't see the trailer and I didn't knew anything about this movie excluding that many have said it's very good. Afterwards I saw the trailer and thought; that's like taking part of the effect out of the movie. Name Sixth Sense was only clue and from the first scene I knew this is going to build up into very pensive and prosperous atmosphere. Movie works extremely well almost throughoutly, but tension suffers in last part. It's not the ending itself, but certain aspects of melodramacy and the story itself is a bit repetitive towards ending. Anyhow that's only criticism afterwards.
When watching the movie it takes psychological control over your mind if you just let it to do so. Then it goes on all the way to the end and you should find yourself staring vacantly ending credits with strong emotions on surface. Sixth Sense had the same effect than Jacob's Ladder. Nowhere near same movies, but psychological emotional effect is same. Second time watching this film will be different experience.
Story itself is being weaved together almost seamlessly. Shyamalan has certainly put a lot of thinking how to build up the story properly without taking compromises. Simplicity works like a beauty and film maintains calm, even peaceful atmosphere all the way despite of fearful moments twisting your mind and sending cold chills down to your spine.
Haley Joel Osment as a little boy Cole does just astonishing job. Not just as a child-actor but as an actor. Toni Collette as his mother does a good job too regardless of few mediocre scenes. Bruce Willis is just a slightly bit too self-sufficient in his acting, but does maybe one of the best roles of his career (12 Monkeys was pretty good too). It's more to do with his general acting-personality-image from other films than acting itself in this film.
If you're going to watch Sixth Sense, watch it with open mind, otherwise you'll spoil the experience.