Easily Shyamalan's best, and most underrated, film to date.

Rating: Null/10 (19 July 2003)

I've been sitting here watching Unbreakable for the nth time (yes, I've lost count at this point, while Sixth Sense still sits shrink-wrapped on my video shelf) and decided to read some user commentary on it to see how others felt. First off, when I say that this is Shyamalan's most underrated film to date, I have to admit that I'm a big fan of his writing and directing, so I'm not out to bag on any of his other films. I think that he has managed to breathe life into a genre of film (the paranormal thriller) that has long been shunned by most Hollywood studios.
Contrary to some criticism, I think the acting in this film is superb. Willis does an exceptional job playing the part of the "average Joe," working stiff who does not fully comprehend the implications of the situation he has been placed in. The weight lifting scene is a perfect example of this. Here he is attempting to confirm what he is slowly beginning to believe. And for the people out there who criticise the fact that Willis can not remember the last time he was sick or injured, I myself can not remember those things, but I don't think that makes me a superhero. Quite the contrary, I would say that most people probably couldn't count the number of times they have been sick in the past year, unless they have a chronic ailment.
**SPOILER**
I also noticed the "Dead Zone" rip-off comment, concerning the fact the David could read people simply by brushing up against them at the end of the movie but there was no mention of it before that point. Contrary to this statement, if you watch the movie again, you will notice that David brushes by the man with the pistol at the football game and then Shyamalan also bumps into him at the football game before he has his "visions." This clearly sets up the manner by which David arrives at his conclusions.
**END SPOILER**
All in all, I'd say this movie does not get the respect it deserves. In this day of movies like X-Men and the Hulk, superheroes who are quite obviously "different," maybe it is just too hard for some to imagine that an ordinary man can be blessed with extraordinary powers, of which he does not realize. For those that didn't like it the first time around, rent Unbreakable and give it another chance before you pass final judgement.