Unwatchable

Rating: 1/10 (15 May 2003)

A terrible film in almost every respect, Shyamalan has crafted an utterly unwatchable movie. With great packaging and an intriguing premise, this stinker lured unsuspecting audiences into theatres in 2000. However, within the first fifteen minutes, audible groans echoed throughout the theater. Half the audience remained at the final reel. This picture really sucks. Bruce Willis' lethargic performance is boring to watch, and the supporting cast, including Samuel Jackson, struggle through the meandering, directionless script. The film moves at a sluggish pace, which is fine within Shyamalan's noirish mise en'scene, but the script is downright awful, therefore it's pacing is unjustifed. An example- when Willis' kid tests his father's invincibility by pointing a weapon at him. This scene is ridiculously awful and carelessly directed. It was totally unconvincing and over-the-top. I've seen more fully realized scenes in student films. Or how about the "shocking climax?" I can't believe it took two hours of such utter nonsense to build up to this weak, uneven revelation. It was particularly sad because Shyamalan obviously set everything up for a sequel, but when audiences saw this turd, plans were scrapped by the studio. Yes, I don't think "Unbreakable II" will ever see the light of day, thank God. So if you feel like wasting two hours of your time on a Sunday afternoon..... still avoid this movie; watch something more appetizing, like "Signs" or "Die Hard."