I really liked the sound effects and symbolism....the acting was phenomenal.

Rating: 8/10 (4 August 2004)

Spoiler Bryce Dallas Howard was wonderful, and other actors quite credible. I am like some other viewers, in that I just sit back and go with the plot. (Why ruin it by thinking too deeply ahead of time?) So it was suspenseful and made me jump in my seat when Ivy fell in the woods. I did think it took her WAY to long to get through the woods.....he should have died by then, logically. What a great brave and beautiful girl though!
It seemed that the original intent of The Village was noble, but putting terror into the hearts of all the youth and children was ignoble. And why slaughter all the livestock? And which elder was insane enough to do that?
I thought the plot was set in the 19th century all the way until Ivy got to the concrete wall. I'd like to hear what M.N.S. envisions for the future of this group of villagers. Will Ivy tell? Her love is already suspicious! Of course, maybe he does NOT survive.
My friends and I puzzled about the color symbolism. Is red for blood and passion and fear? Or just to prevent anyone passing the red berried area in the woods, before the barrier. Is yellow indicative of mere disguise, or cowardice? Yellow also can represent jealousy, envy, oldness. The empty rockers are interesting. I can't wait for M.N.S.'s next movie! ...and plan to see the one that I haven't.