The Most Surprisingly Entertaining Movie I've Seen In Years

Rating: 9/10 (10 August 1999)

First, I am not a fan of Bruce Willis movies (Except for the first Die Hard). People may remember that when Willis did that movie they did not think he would be able to pull it off because they were so used to the character he played in Moonlighting. Well, I'm sure that by now most people will admit that he can handle an action movie with no problem. But keeping in mind that people didn't think he could do it back then, why are people surprised to now see him playing a more intelligent role (ala Moonlighting)?
Willis' portrayal of "Dr. Malcomb Crowe" was flawless. With a depth of character rarely seen by "action movie actors", Willis manages to be a fully believable "average guy" in The Sixth Sense, giving what may be his finest performance to date. Accepting this role may surprise people as much as Mel Gibson playing Hamlet, but he plays the part with no less style or skill than Gibson used in the Shakespearian classic.
Having said that, Willis does NOT put on the best performance in this movie. (Sorry Bruce) Haley Joel Osment, who plays Cole Sear, is astounding. Child Actors do not typically have the experience to play the role of someone as psychologically disturbed as Cole. Not so in this case. Haley makes you believe that he has experienced everything his character has with every tear shed and look of horror on his face. If there was ever an actor who deserved recognition in the form of an Oscar, Osment is in the running.
Some critics claim the movie is slow moving, and in a way it is. At least if you can consider starting a movie with a madman breaking into the house and shooting the leading man in the gut as "slow moving". The Sixth Sense is not as fast paced as some movies, but in that is much of the movie's appeal. Since it is less "in-your-face" than your typical horror/thriller it has a much better chance to get "in-your-mind". And getting in your mind is what this movie is all about.
In an era where horror movies are all about high budget special effects and large gnashing teeth, The Sixth Sense is very subdued. You are lulled into complacency and then brought to the edge without a moments warning, and all with a class and style that lets you know the Hitchcock style of film making is still very much alive.
This movie wraps itself up neatly with a plot twist to make the writers and producers of The Game green with envy. The final scene answers questions you did not even know needed asking. You leave the theater knowing you will never be able to feel the same way about life and death.
If the Blair Witch Project will make you afraid to go into the woods, The Sixth Sense will make you afraid to ever be alone.