Misjudged

Rating: 8/10 (6 August 2004)

I think 'The Village' is getting misjudged. It is unfortunate that the advertising presents this movie as a monster/slasher type thing. It is not.
I thought it was a rather touching story after you got away from the monster in the woods bit. Sorry I can't say much more due to the nature of the story. Please don't read about the movie before going to see it. Foreknowledge will ruin the experience. And please don't expect some Halloweenish slasher crap because you'll be very disappointed. I thought the performances by William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver and Joaquin Phoenix to be very good. Stilted but I think that was the nature of the Village demeanor.
Bryce Dallas Howard was very good as Ivy. M. Night Shyamalan's movies are very moody and atmospheric and this one is no exception.