M. Night Shyamalan Says The Happening is a Fantastic, Fun B-Movie
Well we’re only a day away from the release of M. Night Shyamalan’s next movie The Happening, and I have to admit, I’m really looking forward to it. Sure, I’m a little bit apprehensive about the negative buzz and poor early reviews, but at this point, I wouldn’t expect any less. I did agree with the critics who found Lady in the Water to be a tough pill to swallow (unlike a few other people around these parts), but I am hoping this will be a return to form for him.
That said, a recent quote from Shyamalan has me wondering what exactly his intentions are with The Happening. He told Reuters: “I wanted it to be a fantastic, fun B-movie… The number one thing is I want people to say: ‘That was a really fun B-movie.’” Well, it seems that he may be getting his wish, as Kirk Honeycutt’s review in The Hollywood Reporter compared The Happening to “a ’50s science fiction film of extreme paranoia or an episode of The Twilight Zone” (but not in a good way). Is this just Shyamalan’s excuse for a weak script and bad acting, or would someone like him really aspire to make a b-movie? Even if that was the goal, it’s hard to imagine audiences seeing it that way. At least with something like Frank Darabont’s The Mist, the movie’s genre-influences are apparent from the outset. At any rate, I guess we’ll find out tomorrow, but something tells me this movie isn’t going to change the public’s opinion of one Mr. M. Night Shyamalan.
Comments (5)
This movie wipes the floor with The Mist.
Posted by Henrik on June 12th, 2008I’ll be seeing The Hulk tomorrow, but fully intend to catch up with The Happening sometime in the near future. I can totally see this movie feeling something like the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers. If it’s at least as good as that movie I guess I’ll be happy. It does sound a bit like Shayamalan is already searching for excuses based on that quote though. Not a very promising sign.
Posted by Rian on June 12th, 2008I think this looked like a B movie (in a good way) from the outset. It looks to be something like “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” or, as they said, 50’s sci-fi/twilight zone. I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
I cannot wait to see it, especially since it’s always a big deal to see a Shyamalan film opening weekend in Philly. Everyone makes a big deal when they see familiar surroundings on screen. Kind of silly in my opinion, but a good time nonetheless.
Posted by Jon Rocks on June 12th, 2008I’ve seen THE HAPPENING and it does indeed have a 50’s paranoid sci-fi vibe going quite nicely, it’d make a great double Bill with THE MIST. There is even a Marcia Gay Harden crazy lady (Or Tim Robbins in War of the Worlds) in the film.
The script is atrocious, and the acting, in particular Whalberg and Leguizamo is embarassing, but somehow they compliment the overall vibe of the film.
B Movie Indeed.
Posted by kurt on June 13th, 2008I don’t want to get into the whole serious review thing, but I think this is a brilliant film with a lot of well crafted metaphors, and intelligent direction. The music was impeccably composted + placed throughout. It’s just long enough to maintain one’s attention span. You become so enthralled by the eccentric cast of characters that you couldn’t possibly take the movie for seriousness, but rather it’s just an all out fun movie! HOTDOG man was my favorite and that kid with the lisp (open the door you bunch ‘o pussys!).
My entire family loved it so much that we had to see it TWICE! No bullsh!t. The second time you see it you realize that M.Night plugs his update on AVATAR (notice the schoolbag/backpack) by displaying a School Bus at the end of the film with the number 2010… the year of his next film release. Very very cool!!!!
Posted by Collin on June 16th, 2008Leave a Reply