Review of The Village (2004) by Alex R — 10 Sep 2011

M Night. Shyamalan's The Village started off with a very good premise. The film was scary, and disturbing, and kept you on the edge of your seat until the twist ending. The Village could have been something terrific, but instead it ends up being a dud.

This horror suspense film isn't what it advertises it to be. The film would have been fine just the way it, if it wasn't for the ending. For what is, the first hour was very entertaining, but like I said, the ending ruined the entire film.

I felt that Shyamalan had another terrific film under his belt, but alas; it was not to be. The Village ends up being predictable, and near the end you realize what the ending might actually be. Other than the film was well acted, but because of the Shymalan tendency to ruining his films with a twist, the talent involved doesn't save the film from mediocrity.

There were some good things about the film, but once everything becomes obvious to the viewer (and it does) you just end up not caring for the film anymore. What was great about Signs was that it had an effective mix of suspense, mystery, thrills and horror to create the tension on screen.

Plus the ending wasn't bad whatsoever, and nothing is really explained, not to the fullest at least. But with The Village, everything is explained and it ruins the entire tone of the film. Go in with low expectations so that you're not too disappointed as I was.

The Village is a mediocre thriller horror film that doesn't deliver the goods.