An Anthem to Minimalism

Rating: 9/10 (30 December 2004)

What I suspected from MNS starting from his Unbreakable appeared clear in Village - he is interested in developing as a drama director. I will not be surprised if one day he decides to screen Shakespeare.
If you are a pure horror movies fan either quit seeing MNS' movies or start seeing other aspects in them.
Another suspicion, which became obvious in Village is his strive for minimalism. Not in the way Lars von Trier does (handheld shooting, no props) but in terms of playing and the picture. Remember the Sixth Sense booming of each scary scene and rewind to the most dramatic episode with the knife in Village when there is no sound at all. Remember the limited set of colours in Village, shooting unnecessary heroes from a distance, etc. This is the most minimalistic movie I've seen from mainstream Hollywood in years.
The movie does not lampoon GW Bush administration as it could appear from many comments. At wider scope the issues raised in the Village equally concern e.g. Hitler and Stalin, elections in Ukraine, etc. Bad colours, somebody we do not speak of, etc. The novelty of the Village is that in contrary to his latter movies (e.g. childhood problems, family relations, etc.) MNS now took even more difficult philosophical aspects to explore (place of individual in community, manipulation of masses, etc.). Respect.
The only reservation I keep is the minimalism in playing, which I agree to be somewhat numb. The most of actors are little underused. Better use of simple human emotions imho wouldn't spoil the minimalistic set.
The script, picture, camera-work, soundtrack (which is a masterpiece), proper use of sound/visual effects, and philosophical background make the Village deserve 9/10