Shyamalan is a name to keep track of in the future

Rating: 9/10 (23 January 2001)

WARNING! SPOILERS!
When I entered the theater I had very low expectations, since I did not really like The Sixth Sense. But I was very surprised at the originality and sincerity with which this story was depicted on the screen.
For the first time in movie history I saw a movie that looked at comics in a very mature way. Not just men in tights wearing their underwear over their pants, but intelligent human portrayals of what must be a terrifying realization that you are a superhuman being. In this way this story reminded me a lot of a Kurt Busiek comics series "Astro City". In this series the people behind the superheroes are depicted as very human with human troubles, as was the case in this movie.
Of course the acting performances were outstanding, if sometimes a little too quiet. Willis once again transcended his earlier serious roles (Twelve Monkeys, Sixth Sense) and has to be rewarded in some way for his better work in the future, he is truly a sight for sore eyes on the screen. Sam Jackson is always great to watch, his role of the villain was magnificent. I dare to say that from a child-directing perspective M. Night Shyamalan has to be the next Spielberg. Once again he dares to take on the task to direct a kid in a difficult role (as he did Haley Joel Osment in Sixth Sense) with Spencer Treat Clark (Gladiator), and he succeeds admirably. The role of Robin Wright Penn could have been developed more, but that didn't really obstruct the main storyline.
An honorable mention goes out to cinematographer Eduardo Serra for his use of color. It was striking to watch the scenes where Willis is touched by normal people, and subsequently seeing these same people in more vibrant color during their crimes in the future or past, marvelous. I had a hunch that in the end Jackson would be some kind of bad guy, because in his clothing and surroundings there was always a little purple present, this connected with the bad/color theme this makes the ending a lot more convincing. But you have to have an eye for this or even see the movie twice. The camera movements on the other hand were sometimes a little too shaky, i.e. the opening scene and the scene in the train were just too fabricated when it comes to camera movement, a little over the top.
The story line was very well paced, although I must say that Shyamalan should consider a little more up-tempo pace for his next movie. It worked in this movie, but I think the audience will not buy another slow-paced movie from the same director after The Sixth Sense and this. Some of the scenes were dragged on a little too long too my taste, as if the director wanted to make up for time, not wanting his movie to come near the magic 90 minutes boundary.
Overall a very fine accomplishment. I recommend this movie to everyone who has even a shred of knowledge in a mature way about comics. I must say that together with X-Men I think the future of comics can be said to be in good hands with young directors.
9/10