Signs

As I've written before, I love scary movies. I'm not talking about cheap, jumpy scares or cheesy, self-aware scares, either. I like the terrifying unknown, where it's even worse than you could ever imagine. It was with the expectation of this latter type of film that I went to see Signs tonight.

Don't read this review if you don't want the movie spoiled. And if you have any desire to see this movie, you do not want it spoiled.

Signs is a human drama wrapped in a science fiction story encased within a terrifying vision. The terrifying moments are few, but powerful: "Don't go in there. I locked one in the pantry." "They're on the roof." "What?" The television.

Everything about this movie just works. The opening credits are brilliant (I never thought I'd say that about a movie after Seven, and the credits in Signs are a complete 180 from those). The score (sparse but critical) is incredible. The dialogue is real. And the direction is out of control.

I'm having a hard time talking about this film without gushing, as I expected would happen. I walked out of this film so overwhelmed that I am still walking around the house, two hours later, saying "Holy crap!" out loud. I'm sorry; I really can't help it.

People will complain that the film doesn't resolve anything. They are wrong. The point of this movie is not the plot, not the "aliens are invading the world!" story that has been done eleventy billion times. It's just about a guy and his faith. And, by extension, our faith.

The Sixth Sense ruled. Unbreakable was awesome. M. Night Shyamalan is getting better. I can't wait for his next film. But first, I need to see Signs five hundred more times.

August 02, 2002 - 11:39 PM

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