Classic M. Night

Rating: 10/10 (2 August 2004)

With the Sixth Sense, M. Night Shyamalan re-ignited the use of the twist ending (which has been greatly overused since) and does not fail to create another suspense-filled movie that audiences love in "The Village." Using the recurrent setting of eastern Pennsylvania, M. Night's formula of unlikely heroes versus the unknown is flexed once again as a rural, isolated village managed by a council of elders lives with the imminent threat of monsters on their borders.
Though lacking superstar performances from the likes of Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, or Mel Gibson, the cast of "The Village" is wonderful in this apparent period piece. William Hurt nails the role as the small town's leader and Joaquin Phoenix (who gained a certain amount of fame from "Gladiator" and M. Night's "Signs") plays the character of the quiet yet brave possible hero very well. However, the importance of Adrien Brody and Bryce Dallas Howard is downplayed in previews yet fit right into their positions as the hero and the unknown.
Even though I basically predicted the ending from the preview and the commercials, I had no idea it would specifically end the way it did.
Finally, as my friend commented, "This is like a blind Blair Witch," I believe she is right in that many who see this movie will shudder a bit on next time entering the woods and seeing the color red.