M. Night Shyamalan’s Signs
Written and directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring: Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin, Abigail Breslin

Who does this M. Night Shyamalan guy think he is? He directs a couple relatively successful movies and now he thinks he is famous enough to preface all his movie titles with his own name? That takes balls. But you know, in all fairness he has made a bit of a name for himself with his previous two films, and he has shown a knack for manipulating an audience in ways that very few writer/directors can. Although The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable were good movies in their own ways (some would argue they were even GREAT movies), I was still waiting for M. Night Shyamalan to put out a movie that would completely knock me off my feet.

Now, notice that I said that I “was” waiting, in the past tense, because as far as I’m concerned the wait is over. Signs has easily become the most memorable movie I have seen this year, and it provides indisputable evidence of Shyamalan’s raw talent as a filmmaker. Writer/director/producers always bring such pure visions to their creations, and Signs is no exception. Aside from a few moments of self-indulgence (mostly some drawn out speeches) this movie is virtually perfect. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a movie this engrossing and this genuinely frightening. And the fact that it stars Mel Gibson is surprisingly not a bad thing.

As you may have heard, the movie deals with the famous unsolved mystery of crop circles, a strange phenomena that have been seen in virtually every country in the world, dating back hundreds of years. Some claim they are just an elaborate hoax, while others are convinced that they must have been left by alien visitors. In Signs, Graham Hess (Mel Gibson) is a former reverend who has lost his faith, and he experiences the crop circles first hand on his farm where he lives with his son (Rory Culkin), daughter (Abigail Breslin), and brother (Joaquin Phoenix). Shyamalan only uses the mysterious crop circles as a starting point however, for something much more threatening and horrific. I will avoid saying more about the plot, because it is a movie that is more enjoyable if you know very little about it beforehand.

Rest assured, this is not a science fiction movie, it is rather a true suspense-thriller. Signs is full of great moments that will make you jump involuntarily, bring goosebumps to your skin, or make you clutch at your seat ever so tightly. People were actually screaming out loud in the theatre when I saw it. It is also a clever ebb and flow of tense moments and comic relief, which recalls Spielberg’s E.T. in many ways. Adding to the E.T. sensibility is the endearing performances by the two children, played by Abigail Breslin and Rory Culkin (that’s right — Macaulay’s brother… it’s all in the genes baby). As with The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable, Shyamalan uses the children to add to the suspense and realism… I’m not sure exactly what it is, but perhaps the involvement of innocent children just brings out the protective parental instincts in all of us (okay… some of us).

M. Night Shyamalan has a firm grasp of what it takes to knot your stomach for a full 90 minutes. He has a rare ability to slowly unravel a mystery, and keep the audience captivated, waiting on the edge of their seat to see what will happen next. He also knows how to scare the crap out of you. The Blair Witch Project school of filmmaking is alive and well in this movie; Shyamalan understands that things are a lot scarier when they are left at least partly to the imagination. He avoids direct shots, and instead uses all kinds of ingenious reflections, blurry images, and quick pans to present you with just enough visual stimulation to let your mind (and your pulse) run wild.

Once again, the film closes with an ending that brings all the pieces of the puzzle together in the most fulfilling way. It leaves you with the unmistakable realization that you’ve just been manipulated by a director who is a master of his craft.

Would it be presumptious of me to say that M. Night Shyamalan could very well become the next Alfred Hitchcock? He certainly seems to be striving to achieve such a distinction. The opening credits and the score by James Newton Howard immediately bring a Hitchcock feel to the film, not to mention the fact that Shyamalan also enjoys making cameos in his own movies. This time around he has an even larger acting role than usual. More than anything though, the slow, steady pace and the gut wrenching suspense make Signs something that Hitchcock himself would have been proud of.

If you go see one movie this summer, go see Signs.Trust me, this is one movie that you just have to experience in a theatre environment (hopefully without ignorant kids making noise all around you). It’s scary, exhilarating, and unforgettable… and when you’re done you can’t wait to do it all over again. I guess that makes it a real rollercoaster ride of emotions. — Sean