A fascinating parallel of the super hero myth

Rating: 9/10 (17 December 2000)

Warning: SPOILER! If you don't want to know some of the secrets ahead of time, don't read this review. Unbreakable may not appeal to those who don't know comicbooks very well, but to those who have read and/or studied the medium, M. Night Shyamalan's new film is a fascinating look into comics and how it applies to real life. Certain elements from comics are cleverly carried over, such as the hero's name (David Dunn) being an alliteration like Peter Parker or Matt Murdock or Clark Kent. Secondly, David's nemesis is the polar opposite of him (brilliantly portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson). And, like the Sixth Sense, there are things to watch for on the second viewing (for instance, David and Mr. Glass never touch at any point until the end; otherwise David would've seen everything that Mr. Glass had done). But it also showed that life is not like comics. David was unable to save the husband or wife in the house where he rescues the children from the criminal he follows. In that vein, the camera is almost never a static shot like a panel in a comicbook; it's always panning, just life is always moving. And M. Night gives himself a nice cameo. And on a technical note, considering how many glass and mirror shots are in the movie (for the sake of Mr. Glass), it's remarkable that the camera is never seen in the reflections (even Titanic gets the mirror caught in the reflective glass doors). I suppose one's enjoyment of Unbreakable could be tied to your knowledge and/or enjoyment of comicbooks, but it's still a great look into what one person is capable of when they delve into themselves.