M. Night Shyamalan: Restricted by Hollywood or King of Dull Endings?

M. Night Shyamalan's celluloid track record is less than satisfactory as of late. The average cinemagoer was blown away at the ending of The Sixth Sense, but now have turned a naked eye at his latest directorial efforts. Why? Because the endings are quite dull. He paints an epic picture; Signs featured an alien invasion shown only through the eyes of a rural town. The subject matter is on a grand scale, but the point of view, instead of a world stage, is restricted to a peephole.

His concepts are lacking longevity when they clearly have the chance to. But who is to blame? Could it be the studios financing the film, cutting corners in hopes of surviving its opening week with a few cents in their pockets? Or the writer, who birthed the whole concept only to watch it butchered by producers or script doctors? Or the executor, who brings its from page to screen?

I, personally, have only watched The Sixth Sense three times. I have no need to see it again. I learned the extremely clever and spooky ending with the first viewing, and in the second and third, watched for all those moments missed that led to the ending. They were right under our noses, but once you learn of them, there is no need to re-visit.



His latest film, The Happening, seems to be following in the same sci-fi/thriller/horror that his previous films have. However, from some of the shots shown in the trailer, it appears to be adhering to the epic subject/epic viewpoint mentality that some films need to have that feeling of balance. This is a far cry from his other projects in terms of vision, but he has cemented himself in that particular supernatural genre.

And if he is comfortable there, then have a seat, Mr. Shyamalan. We'll watch your films with popcorn in hand, just don't make us waste our money.