It was a dark and stormy night...

Rating: Null/10 (25 July 2001)

Unbreakable was a movie that uses darkness and shadows to it's advantage. Like comic books that are 90 percent blue and black ink, this one leaves you with that gritty ink feel. I appreciate that the movie was not spelled out in all dialogue, but the predictable plot, dark scenes (where did they shoot this movie, Seattle with lots of tarps?) and slow tension build makes this film less than recommendable.
Fans of comic books and superheroes undoubtedly enjoy the film for it's comic book tie-in. But the comic book theme is only superimposed, which makes it a lose-lose for all audiences. It was great with character development of the hero, to which we can and should relate. But as usual, criminal insanity is used to cover a poorly constructed villain, as it's difficult to identify with the insane, even if you're insane yourself. Robin Wright Penn seems to be type-cast as the forlorn love (i.e. Princess Bride, Message in a Bottle). The father-son relationship should have developed more as Dunn (Willis) discovered his purpose (to become "Security Man!"). Willis shines, albeit for his brooding. The rest of the movie is lost somewhere in the shadows.