Very Good, but M.Night is still yet to make a Masterpiece

Rating: Null/10 (5 September 2004)

I don't know what to make out of M Night as he really is a director who has with all the fault of his own labeled himself as director that makes films with twists. It's some unfortunate for him as he will not get passed this and is really an overrated director as none of his films are masterpieces in my opinion.
The Sixth Sense was a good film with a great surprising performance from Bruce Willis in a film you wouldn't usually associate with someone like Willis but that's all really. I couldn't give two hoots about Hayley Joel Osmonds performance and storyline in it as I saw it as being average like most films with kids his age. Unbreakable was a film that I did thoroughly enjoy and believe in. Signs I have yet to see but look forward to and now The Village which is more like an episode of The Twilight Zone really. I think it's not his strongest film, Unbreakable stills holds the title for that, but I thought it was his most intriguing and odd films. Because of all the plot twists that M. Night throws in to his films you can't help but notice them even before they have started the unravel. You get this kind of feeling with The Village as I was sitting figuring it all out even before the real story began. It wastes no time in getting right into it and it doesn't spoil or fade away much at all from the story, but what M.Night likes to do best which he has succeeded in doing with the Village, is playing with the audience and throwing you into lots of different ideas about what is what and what The actual Village is all about.
Performances in any of M. Nights films have never been a problem. Bruce Willis amazes everybody with his stunning performances in The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable as was Samuel L. Jackson, I'm sure Mel Gibson did a fine performance in Signs but The Village far exceeds getting terrific performances out of his actors. Village has an all star cast with some of the greatest names in films in the last 20 years. William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, Brendan Gleason, Adrian Brody, Joaquin Phoenix and the introduction of someone who is going to be up there with the greats Bryce Dallas Howard.
Any of these actors and actresses can take on a film like this but for this to be your first film and have the most important part in the entire film is something else. Bryce Dallas Howard is the daughter of director Ron Howard who I am sure has given his fair share of tips whilst making a movie but he must have given her some damn good advice to let her run away with this really intriguing great film. It's not brilliant but it will certainly keep your attention throughout and keep you wondering and even though when you think you might have it then look again because it will probably end up reviewing the film again.
If you are not a fan of M Night's strange stories then watch this film for the excellent direction and very good camera work. I can see why the village has divided the critics but if you are a lover of movies and enjoy an interesting and thought provoking film then The Village is the one for you, but if you are looking for great entertainment then it's probably best to look else where even though this films does have it's moments in tense moments that keep you on the edge. He still hasn't made a masterpiece but he is well on his way and The Village is living proof of that.