One of, if not the, best film of the year.

Rating: 8/10 (13 January 2005)

After watching "The Village" with a few friends not only did I enjoy it more than the first time, I saw the reason why many did not like it. Throughout the movie, one of my friends, who isn't as familiar with film as the rest of us, constantly asked questions about where the plot was moving. He's used to the films that spell everything out, and practically tell you what's going to happen before it does. I'm not saying this to slight him one bit, because he is in good company. America's viewing interests have been reduced to seeing the entire film before it happens. For example, in a cop drama, the plot may be laid down, drawn out in front of you, before anything actually happens. In a romance, you meet two characters and they fall in love. In comedies... well in comedies, actors say "balls" a lot. Gone are the days where you watched every move, listened to every line of dialogue, and kept track of each character in your head, and in the end, everything was resolved in your mind, rather than on camera.
Many people went to this movie, because it was going to live up to the "Sixth Sense", and though contrary to popular belief, it surpassed what "Sixth Sense" did. It was a multi-layered trip through the human psyche-that asked you the questions. Some of my most trusted closest friends went into this movie, "knowing" they wouldn't like it, and then criticized Shyalaman because the know I love the film. From comments like "He shot too many trees." to "I didn't relate to the characters.", I've heard it all. But when you sit down, look at the way Shyalaman uses shots, angles, sound, music, and positioning, and amazing performances you'll have to agree, he's a pretty darn good director.
In using a blind girl, Shyalaman opened up a door that would seal the fate of his movie in the minds of many true film and literature fans. He could create one of the greatest characters on screen. One who could not see, happened to have the greatest "vision" of the whole village, and was able to conquer her fears, and also give something extra to the "towns". Joaquin Pheonix is brilliant, and says so much by saying so little, and Adrien Brody is downright frightening.
Those of you who were "dissapointed" in the twist ending, or "saw it coming" congratulations, you're you've completely missed the entire point of this film. It's not supposed to be a surprise, or a shocker, but the real shock are the events surrounding it. Those of you who didn't think the creatures were "scary", maybe use your minds a little bit, and you'll figure out just how horrifying they really were. Those of you who "didn't like the trees", I think Harold and Kumar is more your speed.
This film is probably the best of 2004, and one of the best of it's genre ever made, though no "big shot" movie critic will say this. It's sad what's happened to us as a people, and I truly believe, if many of the amazing movies of the past were released tomorrow, they'd completely "flop" like this beautiful film.