takes its time...but

Rating: Null/10 (3 October 1999)

This one surprised me. I kinda thought it would be alright, the premise was interesting and I always like Bruce Willis, but somehow this wound up as the Stealth movie, slipped in under the publics door without a ton of hype ala Phantom Menace or the Blair Witch thingie. I saw it 3 weeks into its run, the theatre here was jammed with folks coming in 15 minutes late; and we all sat spellbound through the whole thing.
The kid deserves an Oscar. Willis was fine and could get a nod though no one knows. Haunting, taut atmosphere throughout, the supporting roles done by Olivia Williams and Toni Collette flawless. I agree that the movie drags some; but that is part of its charms-you are drawn into the characters' experiences and willingly sit there, waiting for the punchline...
What a punchline it is. I didn't see it coming; don't think many round me did either. Makes sense Now that I have seen it-but at the time...couldn't believe it. Terrific twist!
The harrowing scene inside the closet, the moving sequence at the Wake...you have to see them. Performed and directed with such feeling--no wonder this has made over 230M-great stuff; appealing to folks from all across the board.
By all means see it-***1/2 outta ****-as good as it gets in this genre.