Signs
Signs of a Bad Movie
There are several elements that hook the viewer into false-interest in M. Night Shyamalan's "Signs." In fact, Shyamalan is a genius when it comes to creating a confusing suspense thriller. Basically what Shyamalan does is throw out some general information at the start of the film, around the middle he embroils his characters in moral and ethical conflicts that are compounded by the previous facts that he has allowed his audience, and finally provides resolution to the conflicts in the film leaving all of his characters bettered in some way or another. This, coupled with the right setting and plot, creates a suspenseful ticket-seller. Audience members can be wooed by Shyamalan's ability to plant questions and ideas in their minds, and provide them with the answers as well. There is nothing about Shyamalan's films that requires thought or makes the audience come to a conclusion on their own. It's all spelled out in black and white and America seems to love this kind of non participation in their films.
Having said that I will admit that this movie does entertain. It poses a question that has been popular since it's birth - what if there are aliens, and if there are what would happen if they came to earth. No new concept there, just a view on what a team of writers thinks could happen if they wanted to make a movie that sells. And sell it does. I won't lie and say that I wasn't interested to see what would happen by the end of the film. That doesn't mean that I totally enjoyed this film. The cinematography is excellent, which is a plus for Shyamalan, and the premise is valid, surely a group of aliens could come to the earth, but I didn't think that was enough to be worthy of all the praise this film has received.
"What's lacking then?" I'll tell you. Any valid reason to view this movie more than once. Surely the argument would be "But there's all kinds of underlying story and elements that you can't pick up with just one viewing!" Great, go spend your money and see it ten times and then buy it and watch it all the time at your house. You're a movie officianado now, and can woo friends and family alike with subtle details they may not have picked up on. But is that really reason enough to see this movie more than once? No. This will not be a classic. It will have no lasting affect other than the records of ticket sales and rentals. This movie is Hollywood dribble.
"So what? You said it entertained, that's enough for me." I hate you. Movies have steadily become worse and worse, and here's why. Today's box office isn't just filled with dribble that you know is trash so you can acknowledge it's patheticness and your own for viewing these films. Hollywood has found out that people want good movies, so instead of risking money on possible low yield films, they give people what they want, sort of. A lot of films today are disguised as good. Signs is one. If you put forth a valid idea, dumb it down so the entire audience can figure out what's going on, throw in some twists to make people think they're smart for having figured out things that are not readily apparent yet not really interesting or worth anything then you have a high yield mockup of a good film. This is the new formula for people seeking good valid film. AND IT SELLS! HOORAY!
"What should I do then?" I have the most simple solution to the problem. Burn Hollywood and then move all film production to New Jersey. This way, the only people who will be making films are people who truly desire to make films. If the money craving hordes don't want to be where the films are being produced then the only people who will be making the films will take the time and effort neccissary to make a good film and not worry about profit and hoopla like that simply for the LOVE OF MAKING A GOOD MOVIE (in theory). Now this all sounds crazy, but I tell you it's the next revolution in the progression of valid thought, something that is lacking in most films today.
But whatever. If you've got your I.V. drip hooked up and want something that will rock your world, then go see signs. If not, then I'll see you in Jersey.
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