Review: "The Happening"
Aaron Osborne
Seen on: June 13, 2008
The players: Director: M. Night Shyamalan, Writer: M. Night Shyamalan, Cast: Mark Wahlberg, John Leguizamo, Zooey Deschanel
Facts of interest: The film was shot in sequence in 44 days.
The plot: A group of people struggle for survival when a mysterious suicidal plague occurs without warning.
Our quick thoughts: What was perhaps one of the most intriguing trailers I have seen this summer turned about to be a thriller without a lot of thrills. Yes, it is eerie and quite comical, but what began as an original idea turned out to be a rather stagnant disappointment.
Shyamalan’s first flick to earn an R rating does not show a boost in the suspense or quality of the movie. While this rating does allow for some disturbing killings, it is not gruesome enough to create a certain shock factor and not terrifying enough to be compared to other thrillers of same rating.
Past Shyamalan films such as his 1999 film “The Sixth Sense” accomplished more suspense with a PG-13 rating, let alone having better developed characters and story lines. I would say this R rating did little more for this movie than draw in a crowd hoping for a terrifying and bloody body count.The first scenes of the film are quite shocking and provide an intriguing and disturbing hook, but after the initial shock there is little left than a fledgling story line with characters to match.
The casting of the film is adequate though. Mark Wahlberg offers a pretty solid performance as the protagonist schoolteacher, but there is little chemistry with Indie-rocker/actress Zooey Deschanel, who provides a rather hollow depiction of the schoolteacher’s distant wife.
It is not only that the acting is not believable and shallow, but the writing is off. The dialogue and demeanor of the characters does not draw the viewer into the story, but it instead points out that they are, well, acting. While there is some awkward, off-the-wall comedy built into the writing, it is not charming enough to save this would-be thriller from mediocrity.
Freaky quote: "There appears to be an event happening.” – Alan Ruck
The final word: Shyamalan has been known to make films that chill the audience to the bone at every twist and turn. However, in “The Happening” there is little besides a few chilly scenes and an original story idea that misses the mark. Sadly, most will leave this botched thriller thinking, “What happened?”
Article by Aaron Osborne
Reader Comments (7)
i completely agree...saw it yesterday, and was so disappointed...left the theater thinking, "huh?" and i couldn't tell for the next few hours if i actually liked it or not...i have since confirmed the fact that i did indeed not like it...lol....there just wasn't anything to figure out, and i think that's what makes his films so special and cool...um...usually. i am a big fan of his, but definitely not a fan of this one.
Same here. Great opening sequence, and it all goes downhill from there. And the ending... that's not what we are used too. I still think SIGNS remains his creepiest flick.
I saw this one yesterday and spent the next four hours in conversation with a friend about the state of the world, the nature of humans, and the point of existence. I enjoyed it because it made me think. Why don't people like movies that challenge them to think about their lives and how they live them?
Also, why does every Shayamalan review have to compare his new movie to his older ones? Why can't each film stand alone?
abc,
I think many compare this film with some of his others in terms of suspense, and not story. Of course each film should stand alone, but truth is, Shyamalan always injects his flicks with suspense and twists, so it's interesting to see whether he keeps it up in his newer projects.
Sure, the movie makes you think about the world, but I think it does not really take (or it should not take) a film like this for people to engage in such thoughts. I found the way he put his message across a little weak. Many people think about all the things you mentioned before the film already. I mean, I think about these things almost every time I watch the news:)
Wow! Thanks for the insight. You've made me realize how truly stupid and worthless I am for allowing art to influence my life.
You completely misunderstood what I meant. Art should be inspiring to everybody, and everybody interprets art differently. I am sorry for not expressing myself clearly. What I should have said was that to me personally, the movie did not make me think about those things because they are a daily issue in some sort to me already.
I did not mean to offend you in any way here. If this film made you think about issues, well that's great. Nobody is complaining:)
Just saw this one and really enjoyed it. I am supporting abc on this one. After leaving, I thought about the conclusion in the rapidly speaking and somewhat eccentric appearing scientist who explains it all in the end. I think this is Shyamalan's approach at the "green" issue and also how post 9/11 America views new threats. There were subtle details like plants reacting to human stimulus that just clicked for me. I could definitely see this "happening" no pun intended, as much as the human race is encroaching on nature...why can't nature fight back? Techinically, it was here first!
Anyway, I would like to give Shyamalan kudos for the film. Besides, this is much better than some cheesy retake of something old like "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" which sucked a big one!