Written and directed by
M. Knight Shyamalan
Signs starts as a movie about crop circles. Where do they come from, who makes them, and why. It is fully explained by the end of the movie. The main character of the movie is a man who was a reverend until his wife died. At that time he lost his faith and became a corn farmer. (His corn crop develops circles, as if you didnt know.) He has two children, the elder a son with a younger daughter. His younger brother has come to help out the family.
It develops into a movie about beliefs, spirituality, and family strengthsthe strength coming from the family members having individual talents making the whole. There are layers of this movie you can explore more thoroughly with multiple viewings, much like The Sixth Sense. Im particularly interested in the use of shadows and the symbolism of the circle. Circles are all through this movie, and not just in fields.
Or you can walk out of this movie and have just seen a really well done, pretty scary movie. The scary parts are nicely balance by quite a lot of funny things happening. Sometimes the funny bits are in the middle of the scary part. I cant remember another time when humor and horror worked so nicely together. Possibly the Evil Dead series, but Signs is not campy in any way.
You are not going to like this movie if you dont like science fiction or horror movies. You are not going to like this movie if you dont like being tense while watching a movie. You are not going to like this movie if you get attached to any dogs you see. You are not going to like this movie if the only movies you like are romantic comedies. You shouldnt have walked into this movie if you are one of the above, and you have only yourself to blame.
If you have seen The Sixth Sense you can use it as an indicator for liking or disliking Signs. Signs is intelligent, dark, scary, deep and sad just like Sixth Sense, without the stories being the same at all. If you havent seen The Sixth Sense, then go see Signs (unless you fall into one of the you are not going to like it listed categories, of course.) Go see it before someone gives major plot points away.
I rate it: Pay Full Price
Mel Gibson as Graham Hess (the father)
Joaquin Phoenix as Merrill Hess (Grahams brother)
Rory Culkin as Morgan Hess (the son)
Abigail Breslin as Bo Hess (the daughter)