Unbreakable-Does Shymalan Still Have It?
The question on many minds is likely to be, “how does Unbreakable stand up and compare to The Sixth Sense?” Unbreakable is a decent film that, while moving a bit slowly in parts, does keep your interest and is entertaining. In short, the story focuses on David Dunn played by Bruce Willis, who after a train wreck discovers that he has super human abilities. For example, in addition to being extremely strong Dunn seems to be, well, unbreakable, and thus the title. At its heart Unbreakable is a super hero movie told in a more human and real world. Shymalan attempts to paint a super hero as being less godlike and more real, one way this is accomplished is that we see Dunn with his family. Another way exploring the humanity of a super hero is done via examining the emotional weaknesses of the super hero. It is definitely effective and does make one care about the character.
Like The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable has a clever twist ending, but that said, I worry that Shymalan is becoming a little too focused on coming up with twist endings a little too much to the demerit of the work as a whole. Again, as with The Sixth Sense, it is a little difficult to review Unbreakable without revealing the twist at the end. Obviously the problem with relying on the device so heavily is that if the twist ending doesn’t work, the entire film unravels.
The acting in the film is quite good and Willis gives another very real and well-rounded performance. As with The Sixth Sense, Willis is again successful in playing a character that is a departure from his previous work. Samuel Jackson as Mr. Glass, the obsessed comic book fan who takes a keen interest in Dunn, has perhaps only been better in Pulp Fiction and really elevates the entire film.
As a whole, the film is less about flashy visuals and visuals effects, although there are some, and more about the cerebral world of good versus evil as well as exploring the general concept of the super hero within a social, personal and historical context. As is done at length via Mr. Glass. However, in the end, I, like many audience members must have felt, that was truly an elongated set-up for the sequel. It could be that Shymalan is dying to make a big budget super hero flick and Unbreakable is only the set up. The film is worth seeing, and Shymalan has some of The Sixth Sense magic on it, but it may not be exactly what people are expecting. Love it or hate it, at least it is a relatively original spin on the super hero flick.
Story B+ (Good script that does however, drags a little at times.)
Acting B+ (Two very good performances by Jackson and Willis help elevate the script beyond its pacing problems.)
Visuals B
Originality/Innovation B+ (One has to appreciate the desire to tell the super hero story in a new way.)
Enjoyability Grade B+
Home Theater/HD Factor B
Overall Grade B+
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