Don't be put off by bad reviews!

Rating: Null/10 (7 August 2004)

I went to see this film with pretty low expectations because of all the negative reviews. M. Knight Shyamalan has staked out a particular genre for himself, which I think leads to a burden of "big surprise ending" and "spooky supernatural/other-worldly exposition". The Village has fine performances, an engaging story and if you aren't surprised at the ending (I actually was) you shouldn't be dismayed or disappointed either. There will never be another movie in this genre with the impact and effect of "The Sixth Sense" but that's no reason to avoid every movie that Shyamalan authors just because it doesn't overtake the first one. I enjoyed The Village, and rank it second in the 4 major films Shyamalan has done. Oh, and as for his "egotistical" cameo, I had to be told where he appeared after the movie!