I don't understand all the criticism

Rating: 9/10 (1 August 2004)

Everyone who criticizes The Village's twists or style clearly has not seen any other M. Night Shyamalan movies, and if you have, did you like those either? Shyamalan has a distinct and unique style that was established in his first three movies, and his newest is not an exception to that style. The point of all of his movies is not in fact the scare tactics, but instead he uses those scare tactics as a vehicle to make a larger comment on different aspects of humanity. Therefore, if you don't appreciate that, fine. If you want to be scared by mindless gore, then that's fine too, but don't go see a Shyamalan movie expecting that and then criticize him for making movies in his own style.
I for one found The Village to be scary at times, funny at times, and really thought provoking which is very much the same way I felt about Signs. The music was excellent, and while the first half an hour I found it difficult to really feel attached to the characters, after that I became completely engrossed in the characters particularly those played by Bryce Dallas Howard and Joaquin Phoenix. Both Howard and Phoenix did a stupendous job and I think that once again Shyamalan should be congratulated on not only a great story and cinematography, but also for his choice of cast.