I know why I should like it, but I didn't

Rating: 4/10 (12 November 2001)

Since I'm a ENORMOUS fan of comic books, I thought I would enjoy this movie, however, I didn't.
The concept of a man suddenly realizing that he has superhuman powers is one that has been pursued before, but never quite so seriously as in this film, and I think this is what I find most unpleasent about it. There is an oppressive unrelenting aura of absolute despair which permeates all of the characters in the movie, and nothing is quite able to dispel it. I understand that the director was trying to create a mood here, but really, it was excessive. Even at moments when Bruce Willis should be really happy (like when he survives a train wreck without a scratch on him) he still looks like his puppy just died. In fact, Willis' character is so subdued, so broody, that for about the first twenty minutes of the movie, I honestly thought he was supposed to be autistic or something. Samuel Jackson is the only character who comes close to emoting anything other than pure despair, and you can just tell the director was holding him back. As it was played, the few comic moments of the film didn't even appear comic.
Added to this, all the actors, but Bruce Willis in particular, whisper all their lines. Again, yes, I know, its not an action movie, the hero doesn't neccessarily have to spend his time shouting lines like "Yippee-kay-ay mother-f***er," but this was absurd. I get it, these people are upset, people who are depressed don't shout, but this is ridiculous. Willis barely raised his voice above a whisper. Again, while it might have made parts of the movie more tense, it totally ruined any scenes in which any joy was present.
Despite the fact that the plot of the movie was extremely similar to "The Sixth Sense," it was a very interesting idea. However, the director, in trying to so artfully display the angst of his characters, really did not do the plot justice.