Post by RumbleWolf4 on Jul 31, 2004 1:51:18 GMT -5
I dont think this is a horror movie...so Im not sure where to put this review...
NOTE: it's difficult to review this film without using some spoilers so ** two red stars will precede spoilers and you should highlight to read...
The Village
Year: 2004
Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix (Lucius Hunt), Bryce Dallas Howard (Ivy Walker), Adrian Brody (Noah Percy), William Hurt (Edward Walker)
Synopsis: A small colony of people live in an isolated village surrounded by woods. These woods are home to a vicious race of creatures. However, the village has a truce with the beasts. When a tragedy befalls the village and the truce ends at the same moment, their simple lives are thrown into disarray.
My Rating: 5/10 Paws Up
Splatter factor: 1.5 /7 This film doesn't focus on the wet stuff but we get some skinned animal carcasses and a stabbing. Also some assorted cuts and scratches.
Acting: 8/10 Perhaps the high point of the film. Phoenix plays his character very well, capable of displaying deep emotion without saying much. Howard makes her feature film debut and carries the load of a complex character excedingly well. Brody is good as a retarded man and Sigourney Weaver's character is unfortunetly under-used. Also, Hurt goes over the top and is too melodramatic. Overall, solid acting in an otherwise flimsy movie.
My Thoughts: This movie was very disappointing. Let's start with the "big twist ending". They should always be awe-inspiring, especially when you expect them! Movies like The Others and the Sixth Sense inspired feelings of "Wow! I didn't expect that!" but The Village's surprise twist conjours up" Eh...that's pretty clever, I guess". It makes the whole focus of this movie (the unknown fear lurking in the woods) completely pointless! **What began as a moody, intriguing thriller about two species on the brink of attack, dissolves into an over-elaborate Scooby-Doo style caper** Also, the dialouge is too vague and cryptic and the movie moves too slow.
On the plus sound, the music is awesome. The haunting violin score gives rise to sudden, unexpected crescendos that startle the viewer. Plus the atmosphere and feel of utter isolation helps create a nice mood. The direction is beautifully done, using slow motion and quick cuts to increase the tension that enriches the film.
Oh and for those whose only motivations to see this are to see what the mysterious monsters look like...Don't bother...
Average and the least of Shymalan's films.
Bottom Line: It has great atmosphere, good acting and a fantastic score. However, the script is bad and the ending fails to impress and just comes off as incredibly disappointing. Only for hardcore Shyamaln enthusiasts.
Stuff you May or may not have known...
*Also "stars" Sigourney Weaver
*Bryce Howard replaced Kirsten Dunst and is related to movie director Ron Howard
*King Kong apparently had some influence on the script.
* The film was originally titled "The Woods"
* Shyamalan's Egotistical Cameo:Near the end, when Kevin is looking for medicine, the scene is shown via a Point of View shot of a reading man. When we see the man's reflection in a mirror, the camera lingers on the reflection for several moments. It's our "esteemed" director in a "Hey! look at me!" cameo.
NOTE: it's difficult to review this film without using some spoilers so ** two red stars will precede spoilers and you should highlight to read...
The Village
Year: 2004
Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix (Lucius Hunt), Bryce Dallas Howard (Ivy Walker), Adrian Brody (Noah Percy), William Hurt (Edward Walker)
Synopsis: A small colony of people live in an isolated village surrounded by woods. These woods are home to a vicious race of creatures. However, the village has a truce with the beasts. When a tragedy befalls the village and the truce ends at the same moment, their simple lives are thrown into disarray.
My Rating: 5/10 Paws Up
Splatter factor: 1.5 /7 This film doesn't focus on the wet stuff but we get some skinned animal carcasses and a stabbing. Also some assorted cuts and scratches.
Acting: 8/10 Perhaps the high point of the film. Phoenix plays his character very well, capable of displaying deep emotion without saying much. Howard makes her feature film debut and carries the load of a complex character excedingly well. Brody is good as a retarded man and Sigourney Weaver's character is unfortunetly under-used. Also, Hurt goes over the top and is too melodramatic. Overall, solid acting in an otherwise flimsy movie.
My Thoughts: This movie was very disappointing. Let's start with the "big twist ending". They should always be awe-inspiring, especially when you expect them! Movies like The Others and the Sixth Sense inspired feelings of "Wow! I didn't expect that!" but The Village's surprise twist conjours up" Eh...that's pretty clever, I guess". It makes the whole focus of this movie (the unknown fear lurking in the woods) completely pointless! **What began as a moody, intriguing thriller about two species on the brink of attack, dissolves into an over-elaborate Scooby-Doo style caper** Also, the dialouge is too vague and cryptic and the movie moves too slow.
On the plus sound, the music is awesome. The haunting violin score gives rise to sudden, unexpected crescendos that startle the viewer. Plus the atmosphere and feel of utter isolation helps create a nice mood. The direction is beautifully done, using slow motion and quick cuts to increase the tension that enriches the film.
Oh and for those whose only motivations to see this are to see what the mysterious monsters look like...Don't bother...
Average and the least of Shymalan's films.
Bottom Line: It has great atmosphere, good acting and a fantastic score. However, the script is bad and the ending fails to impress and just comes off as incredibly disappointing. Only for hardcore Shyamaln enthusiasts.
Stuff you May or may not have known...
*Also "stars" Sigourney Weaver
*Bryce Howard replaced Kirsten Dunst and is related to movie director Ron Howard
*King Kong apparently had some influence on the script.
* The film was originally titled "The Woods"
* Shyamalan's Egotistical Cameo:Near the end, when Kevin is looking for medicine, the scene is shown via a Point of View shot of a reading man. When we see the man's reflection in a mirror, the camera lingers on the reflection for several moments. It's our "esteemed" director in a "Hey! look at me!" cameo.
I wanted to see monsters...
). But I try to see the best in it.