More spook than spark,perhaps

Rating: 7/10 (4 November 2005)

I'm gonna try to not give away any spoilers here. I'll just say that I liked this movie. I am somewhat of a fan of Mr.Shymalan(spelling?)'s films,and while "Village" would not rank as my fave--that distinction would belong to "Unbreakbale"--I still thought this movie was not bad at all. Excellent mood and tension is built up throughout,regardless of how you felt about the show.
In rural Western Pennsylvania,some time during the 19th century,a small village lives a quiet,peaceful but somewhat tenuous existence as it speaks in hushed tones of the "creature or creatures" in the neighboring woods. When one of the younger members of the community(Juaquin Phoenix,very well-placed here)decides to go out into said woods,this sets the fearful community into a stir as the elders(led by William Hurt,perfect for this film!)try to decide whether to sanction this or not. This sets into motion a series of events that FORCES the village to send somebody into the forest and confront the danger.
An excellent breakthrough performance by Bryce Dallas HOward,as the blind daughter of Hurt's elder,heads this cast,which also features Judy Greer,Adrien Brody,Sigourney Weaver and Celia Weston(among others). Careful hints are dropped during this movie to clue the viewer,which,depending on your tolerance for "twist" endings,may or may not color your whole opinion of the film. Still,I,personally would recommend it,mostly as a sort of "Old-fashioned campfire scare story" put to celluloid. 7.5 out of 10.