THE SIXTH SENSE review

I got stung by the review bug this lonely dark evening here at Geek Headquarters. I’ve just finished writing 5337 words of reviews covering some of my all time favorite films, all of which I’ve had the opportunity to re-watch at a local cinema here in Austin in the last week, but now... Now I am compelled to write about a film you probably haven’t yet seen.

It’s a movie coming this crowded August 6th weekend. It involves the supernatural and folks this is not a film to take lightly.

I’m talking about THE SIXTH SENSE and this film does something that you should not let yourself in on until you’ve seen it for yourself. As a result of this I recommend not reading any further, and PLEASE do not read or scan down to the TALK BACKS, there was a creep that posted the thing you shouldn’t know as a subject heading about a week ago, and it’s possible some nimrod will do it again. So for your own mental safety, don’t scan down to the talk backs, and be very very afraid of reading reviews on this film. There is something... brilliant to be spoiled. However, there are two brilliant things you need to know about this film and two things only.

The first is M Night Shyamalan. He’s the director. A guy about a year older than me. I’ve never seen another of his films, but if this one is an indication that he thinks and creates very smart films that go beyond the traditional studio fare. This is a supernatural film, but it’s not about scares. It’s more about that prickly feeling you get walking through a graveyard. That sudden inexplicable cold chill. It’s about the dead. And what is really going on around all of us blind folks. M Night Shyamalan has crafted together a film that left me devastated and stunned.

Then there is the matter of Haley Joel Osment. You are probably familiar with him as the kid that played Forrest Gump Jr at the end of FORREST GUMP. Now that little rascal didn’t give us a clue to what was to come from him, but I’ll tell you. That kid might have just given the strongest performance I’ve ever seen come out of a child actor. This isn’t a matter of hysterics, and over-the-top cryfest stuff. This is about a kid that is trying to be strong and brave, but has been being scared to death moment to moment, second to second, every day of his life. He trembles ever so slightly and in his eyes there is this look. A look as if his soul was actually tormented. As if there was no rest and no redemption in sight. That kid looked half a shade from tearing himself apart ala Jim Stark style.

That’s all you need to get into this film. This isn’t an effects movie. It isn’t a trick scene movie. This is a brilliantly crafted film that deals on multiple emotional levels. It’s also a film that tricks you on some basic fundemental levels into thinking that you might be in a safe movie. You aren’t. This film will leave you... unsettled. Be it by the ending or the performances, this movie got me.

This movie deals in atmosphere and emotions. It deals in relationships. And it is ungodly good.

If you want to see a film that doesn’t do any of the things you hated in THE HAUNTING, then see this film. Now I know... I liked The Haunting. I did. I’ve seen it twice now. BUT, all I did on The Haunting is ‘LIKE’ it. It wasn’t a matter of falling in love with it.

And... I don’t know if I could say I fell in love with THE SIXTH SENSE either. Not because it isn’t a great movie, I believe it is, but at the same time, I do not believe it is a movie that you want to fall too in love with. Like I said, it’s not real safe.

Bruce Willis? Well, he’s wonderful, if a bit distant in this film. Because of the atmosphere of the film it’s paced very deliberately (translation: some of you might very well feel it is slow, however, I did not) in order fulfill the mood of the piece.

The acting here is top notch all the way across the board, but none better than the kid.

I am still a bit stunned by the film, I’m going to have to see it a couple of more times to really get a feeling for how I really feel about this movie. It is a movie that doesn’t ask to be seen a couple of times, it demands it.

This movie is all about making you feel and react to what you are seeing on screen. There are a couple of scenes that the people sitting around me reacted quite strongly and negatively towards. They didn’t want to see what they saw.

It damaged them a bit. They felt a bit violated. Now saying that, it’s not like the crucifix masterbation of THE EXORCIST, where people ran screaming from the theater. It is more along the lines of, complete and total disbelief at what they were seeing and then an emotional reaction to it so strong as to create an audible “Oh god No” from more than a couple of folks.

I’m seeing this one again this week. And then this weekend we wind up with the happiest of problems. You have to decide what to see from a bevy of winners.

If you pick THE IRON GIANT your soul will be warmed and you’ll see a classic film that WILL stand the tests of time I am sure of it.

If you pick THE SIXTH SENSE, there is a very strong chance that you won’t really want to deal with to many people afterwards, but you’ll refuse to be left alone. The film forces limited immediate human interaction.

If you pic MYSTERY MEN, you’ll be entertained, but possibly not completely satisfied.

As for THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR... I don’t know... I haven’t seen that one yet.

If you hear anything about M Night Shyamalan’s next film or what he is up to let me know. I am now a gigantic fan of this very very talented man’s work. The writing on this film is utterly superb, and his use of Tak Fujimoto’s cinematography is on par with Tak’s work with Demme.

This film is extremely satisfying for me. And in the realm of the studio supernatural films so far, it rates as the best I’ve seen this summer. Here’s the order I’d place them in right now:

1. THE SIXTH SENSE - taut intellectual emotionally driven film that is excellent

2. A STIR OF ECHOES - so close to being at the same level as #1, but has an ending that just isn’t anywhere near as brilliant as THE SIXTH SENSE.

3. THE HAUNTING - fun Haunted House film with a shitty ending.

4. THE MUMMY - a bit too cheesy for my tastes.

Like I said, beware of reading too much on this film, there are secrets best left to be revealed in the cinema. Believe me, you'll most likely thank me.... or scream at me, one or the other, I guarantee it.