|
|
|||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
 |
Preview by Jack Foley |
 |
M NIGHT Shyamalan's hot run shows no Signs of cooling off if the success
of his latest thriller is anything to go by.
Signs stars Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix and focuses on the issue of crop
circles and possible alien invasion. It is a thinking man's Independence Day,
a creepy potboiler capable of delivering some terrific scream-inducing moments,
in between its near-perfect injections of humour.
Gibson stars as Graham Hess, a former priest-turned-farmer, still trying to
come to terms with the death of his wife and the subsequent loss of faith
which followed. Living on his farm with his brother (Phoenix) and two children
(Rory Culkin and Abigail Breslin), Gibson's life is about to change, following
the discovery of a series of elaborate circles in his corn fields - circles
which are beginning to appear throughout the world as the warning of what
is to come.
The strange phenomenon will eventually force Gibson to confront his feelings
and to face up to his children about the impact his wife's death has had on
them - all the while aware that the signs in question could well spell the
end of the world.
Indielondon caught a screening of the film last week and will be recommending
it highly when it is released next month. Gibson, as ever, is superb as Hess
(and somewhat restrained than usual), while Phoenix builds on a strong reputation
for reliable support turns, providing much of the movie's humour. Shyamalan's
direction is also highly effective, striking a good balance between the action
and the sentiment (which seldom becomes overbearing). He also throws in at
least two leap out of your seat moments, guaranteed to keep viewers on their
toes.
Written, produced and directed by Shyamalan, Signs opened to a healthy opening
in the US earlier this month and was largely praised by critics in all quarters.
It opens here on September 13.
WHAT THE US CRITICS SAID:
FilmCritic.com describes Signs as 'a bizarre mix of V, Independence Day and
Panic Room', while Planet Sickboy refers to it as 'everything a big summer
blockbuster ought to be' and awards it eight stars out of a maximum 10.
ReelViews said that 'Shyamalan creates a claustrophobic atmosphere and keeps
the tension level high', while JoBlow's Movie Emporium delightedly declared:
"The streak continues!"
A little
more discerning were the likes of Entertainment Weekly, which awarded it a
B- and said ;for a while, the portents are captivating', while the Hollywood
Reporter wrote that it 'will inspire an enthusiastic following, but will probably
disappoint the crowd that likes spooky alien space invasion movies to contain
more hard-core action and less spirituality'.
On a negative note, the Boston Phoenix wrote that the movie suffers from 'overcareful
touches that register as either pretentious or slightly ridiculous', while
Variety believes the 'lack of substance is plainly seen'.
However, Rolling Stone maintains that it is 'a dazzling white-knuckler', which
is where we agree! Hell, even Radio One's James King has stuck his neck out
and recommends it.
PAST MAINSTREAM PREVIEWS: Bond set for his steamiest sex scenes yet.
Click here... Or click here
for the lowdown on the movie...
Hanks on the Road to Perdition. Click here...
We spy an espionage classic, The Bourne Identity. Click here...
The Matrix Reloaded, the hype begins now. Click here...
Insomnia - Another unforgettable thriller from Memento's Christopher Nolan?
Click here...
Red Dragon - the return of Hannibal Lecter. Click here....
