Difference in Opinion

I will just come out and say it, expect a different type of M. Night movie. Don’t get me wrong, there is still that signature Shyamalan edginess throughout the movie as well as some extremely chilling parts that make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. The name Shyamalan jogs people’s memories of Sixth Sense, Signs and The Village which were huge hits in the box office and considered his best films out to date. He has earned the reputation which warrants the hype his movies get, but sets himself up for disappointment if they are not jaw-droppingly good.

The Happening has a great cast of underrated, overlooked or forgotten about excellent actors and actresses, similar to his other films. He seems to recognize the potential of people and place them in fitting roles in his films. Mark Wahlberg who is just starting to get interesting roles and recognition (Gangs of New York, Shooter, etc.) plays the lead character in The Happening, Elliot Moore. His wife, Alma Moore, is played by the beautiful Zooey Deschanel (who I love in Elf and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy). Other notable people in the cast include John Leguizamo, Betty Buckley and Alan Ruck. Betty Buckly does a great job with one of the most chilling and interesting character in the whole film.

A horrible incident happens in Central Park causing people to willingly kill themselves. At first it is chalked up to a isolated terrorist chemical attack. Soon after there are reports that the same thing is happening in other parks in the northeastern United States. As the viewer, you follow a married couple, Elliot and Alma, as they react to the events and try to prevent it from happening to themselves. The movie has an uneasy feeling with everyone in the movie both scared of the threat while equally curious about what is causing it.

I like to make my own opinions on movies. It seemed The Happening had mixed early reviews, with people either praising or punishing it. I found myself more pleased than disappointed with this latest Shyamalan movie. He is all about breaking the rules of movies and film making. It seems like he intentionally broke some of the patterns in his own films with The Happening which brings with it good and mad outcomes. Sure, being original and going outside the box (even your own box) is great, but when people come to expect something from you and look for that then they may get disappointed. While I was let down some by the movie, I do have an appreciation for it and did enjoy it for the most part. I HIGHLY recommend you see it for yourself and make up your own mind.

Click here to buy the soundtrack for The Happening.