The best movie on comics subject

Rating: 9/10 (15 December 2004)

Unbreakable got me after seeing it the 3rd time thus completing the list of very few films, which are capable of making tears out of my cynical soul, which is not easy to disturb.
This is of course a movie about supernatural power and comics, but do not expect too much in this extent - Bruce Willis will not climb the buildings or catch bullets with teeth. No extraordinary visual or special effects, CGI, etc.
The Unbreakable is actually a drama about middle-age crisis of man (Bruce Willis), who lost the sense of living after sparing career for early marriage. He blames himself, his wife (Robin Wright Penn). He lives in a slow dream, each day waking up in sadness. Gradual discover of his supernatural abilities and possessions with the help of freaky Mr.Glass (Samuel L. Jackson) leads him towards finding his way and reunites the family. The second dimension of Unbreakable is about supernatural powers with some philosophy about their balance, karma, etc., which is closely connected to the drama background.
The keyword of the Unbreakable is "sadness", which makes this film from the very beginning up to the moment, when Dunn's wife says "bad dream is over now". The feeling is strengthened by excellent performance and dark bluish picture. The Unbreakable is almost as sad as the American Beauty and Magnolia.
The next keyword is "kids' psychology". The most criticised here scene with the gun is logical, believable and one of the best in the movie. Kids are easy to believe that their fathers are superheroes. They need this for setting their reference points, and for having any advantage to demonstrate it to another kids in the course of their social games. The power of childhood issues and fears (MNS movies are well stuffed with his childhood imprintings) is illustrated perfect.
I would rather mark as unnecessary the scene with Dunn is visiting hangar with the remainders of the train. It adds nothing apart from flashback, which could be inserted anywhere else without having security guard breaching public property in background.
Yet another point of criticism is slow pace. A movie could be labeled as one if there actually nothing happens or there is no development for a long time. From this point of view Unbreakable is not a slow one. Each minute there is an action or new development in either drama or supernatural dimensions.
The script by MNS is wonderful - each detail matters, no visible lousy ends. Camera work deserves special appraisal - no great achievements, but lot's of tricks, and fresh angles. Meaningful soundtrack contributes towards building very special atmosphere.
Shyamalan's brave of taking comics, which is quite sensitive subject for American audience as a basis for supernatural movie and making very different one compared to Spidermen, etc. deserves extra mark.
9/10