My full Review WITHOUT SPOILERS

Rating: Null/10 (31 July 2004)

I figured if I wanted to really experience this film the way it is SUPPOSE to be experienced...I better see it quick, before the secrets are revealed and talked about among my friends. So, I chose the first night to check out this new installment from suspense master, M. Knight Shyamalan, who in my book, is a modern day mixture of Alfred Hitchcoc k and Stephen King.
After having seen THE SIXTH Sense, UNBREAKABLE, & SIGNS, I am warming up to Shyamalan's style of telling fantasical tales and saving huge revelations till the very end. This one is no exception. I wont be giving away any secrets in this review, so don't worry, you are safe.
There isn't much told about this film before going in, except Covington Pennsylvania is a nice quiet town surrounded by a beautiful forest where strange, and frightening creatures live. The people of Covington have a small, yet essential agreement with these creatures. Do not to come to our village, we will not come to your woods. It's as simple as that.
These creatures in THE VILLAGE are only a subplot to another story being told, much like the aliens in SIGNS were only a subplot to the real story about a man having a crisis with his faith in God. The real story in THE VILLAGE is a love story; warm, tender, and innocent. A love story that brings danger and opens the door to the entire town facing it's worst fears.
There are some similarities between THE VILLAGE and SIGNS, in that, there are elements of surprise in revealing the creatures and the part they play in the story. A few good jump scenes mixed in with some mystery about the creatures will bring back memories of the aliens attacking the house in SIGNS. But beyond that, the similarities end.
Does Shyamalan tell a spiritual story? Can God be found in THE VILLAGE like he can in SIGNS? No. Don't expect another Sunday School lesson. But one thing that I was pleased to find, was that this is perhaps the CLEANEST film of the summer. I cannot recall a single offensive word, and there is NO nudity, sexual matters, or even off-color jokes to be concerned with. The only justification of the PG-13 rating is for the level of suspense, a few frightening scenes. This one is safe, even for grandma, providing she's got a pretty good heart.
Joaquin Phoenix returns in his second Shyamalan film, and does a wonderful job as Lucius Hunt, the towns bravest soul who is willing to face his fears and risk it all to help others. His strongest points in THE VILLAGE is his ability to react to the other characters, as his own is often quiet and shy. But when he DOES speak, his words carry weight, even if it's delivered in the most humble and meekest way.
Bryce Howard (Ron Howard's daughter) makes a surprising debut in the role of Ivy Walker, a blind girl who falls in love with Lucius. Her love for him is tested as she is forced to put her fears aside and go where no one has gone before.
M. Knight Shyamalan has a wonderful way of building characters and a story and lead you right where he wants you, BUT does THE VILLAGE live up to Shyamalan's previous work? Do the revelations give you a worthy element of surprise?
I was not disappointed with his story. But I WAS disappointed in the fact that I was able to figure out the towns secret before the big revelation. I leaned over and told my wife what I THOUGHT was happening and it turned out...I was right.
But wait...there are TWO secrets to be revealed in THE VILLAGE, and I was VERY disappointed in the revelation of the other secret that COULD have been corrected by proper editing and a change in the order of scenes towards the end. How can I say this without giving anything away? Simple.
There are two scenes in the film towards the end...one with the purpose to place you on the edge of your seat, much like the nail-biting climax in SIGNS. And the other....to explain one of the BIGGEST secrets in the film.
Well, they explained the big secret BEFORE the most frightening scene in the film, which in my opinion...RUINED the element of SHOCK AND FEAR that he was going for. Shyamalan COULD have had me squirming on the edge of my seat in nervous fear during the big climax (which is what I was hoping for), and THEN exposed the secret, which would have made me go "OMG, I DIDN'T EXPECT THAT."
Instead, he gives the secret away TOO SOON and it actually RUINED it for me. Even my wife who normally believes that Hollywood NEVER makes a mistake, admitted that they should have waited another 10 minutes before revealing the BIG ONE.
Did it ruin the whole movie? No, the story is still well told, and enjoyable. I recommend this film to anyone who enjoys a good suspenseful tale, but warn...don't expect to be scared too much, and don't be afraid to let Shyamalan take you on this journey, because he will WARN you with the truth before it gets too bad.
My grade: B+ Great attempt...almost had me.