WOW! There goes my blood pressure!!

Rating: Null/10 (31 July 2004)

I was excited to see "The Village" and attended the first showing at my local theater ... and I was NOT disappointed that I set the alarm!! I am not normally a "period" film fan, but this one was fine since it wasn't 'overdone'. I enjoyed seeing Ron Howard's daughter in her first starring role. I was not too impressed at first, but her performance really grew on me and I left the film a fan! Her character was not an easy one to make believable, but she did it! Phoenix was dreamy, as usual, and mastered his character. I was looking forward to the plot twists we have all come to expect and enjoy from M.Night, and he certainly did not fail to deliver! The tension builds many times during the film and during some intense moments I wondered about my blood pressure! (Kudos to the teenager sitting one seat away for not commenting on my repeatedly squirming and gasping!) I really liked the Broady character and thought it really helped to 'round out' the feeling of a real village lifestyle. While I thought I had the final twist figured out about 2/3's of the way through (and I did) I didn't mind a bit. In fact, it added to the suspense for me waiting to see what happened AND if I was right! In fact that twist MADE the movie for me! I was also pleased that the movie was not ALL spooky things and breath holding. I thought the interactions of the elders with each other and the other 'villagers' was very interesting. It wasn't long until I was just as interested in what was going to happen next with the village people (in the movie, not the rock group!) as I was about the forest creatures! Even an interesting love story between 2 actors who made it work. In this day and age I found some of the formality of the period refreshing ... again because it wasn't over done. I gave this film a 9 out of 10. I thought it gave me what I came to see ... interesting characters that I cared about, mysterious goings on, tension in just the right amounts and times to be the most effective, cool twists and just a few really spooky parts! So break out the popcorn money and head out to see a great movie that will give you just the boost you need, as we begin the end of the summer blahs!!