Great drama, but not a horror as billed.

Rating: 8/10 (30 July 2004)

Like most of Shyamalan's movies, this is a drama/thriller, not a horror movie at all. The ads are totally off-the-mark and deceive people into thinking this is a horror movie. Fraudulent advertising? Well, not really. But they are encouraging the wrong audience. People who like "Dawn of the Dead" are showing up and being totally let down by this horror imposter. This movie would have much better reviews and a bigger audience if the ads were a little more realistic about what it is. I too was expecting a horror and was a little let down by it. But it was a great drama flick nevertheless.
I really liked Bryce Dallas Howard as Ivy Walker and Joaquin Phoenix as Lucius Hunt. These two actors pretty much carry the show. In fact, if it wasn't for them the movie would have been just so so. Bryce has only appeared in about 5 films and I walked away from this one wondering why? She simply has that star quality that few in hollywood possess. I'm sure we will see her in many more films to come!
So, if you are looking for a horror movie don't bother. But if you want a good drama/thriller then by all means enjoy the show. The acting is good, the direction is good, and the story has nice twists and turns. Just have the right attitude and don't be taken in by the ads for this movie. I will never trust an ad for one of Shyamalan's flicks again! Shyamalan is simply no George Romero or Wes Craven. Shyamalan's medium is drama, not horror!