Review of Unbreakable (2000) by R.j. L — 23 Oct 2010

Society for almost a century now has been enthralled and enchanted by the world of comics you've read the harrowing tales of Super-Man, you've traveled into the dark depths of Gotham City with Bat-Man and you've seen the darker side of heroism with Dare Devil, Ghost Rider, John Constantine, Iron Man and even Spider-Man. But here's the real question what if those stories you've read were real? What if the tale of an invincible man or a man who could read minds was true? What if superheroes actually existed?

M. Night Shyamalan's "Unbreakable" explores the haunting question of what if the stories we've read about superheroes were real? What would that person do? And what would he be like? Would he be like everyone else and have a normal job and a family? Or would he be like the heroes we've read about and have nothing to keep him warm at night but his own self pity. Shyamalan doesn't waste your time getting to the point of the film by showing you instantly how our hero, played with great skill and care by Bruce Willis, is basically unbreakable as the title suggest, But what really intrigues you from the very beginning is the care taken to tell the story at a pace that the audience can get immersed in and slowly but gradually believe that Bruce Willis is impervious to harm and also piece together the trappings and underlining layers of the plot. It's an extraordinarily complex film that demands your undivided attention to it's near-perfect story and it's bullet-proof plot, it's the kind of film that after you watch it leaves a lasting impression on you and you can't believe what you've seen so you just have to see it again and again and again. "Unbreakable" is a must see thriller, with a story that will blow your mind from beginning to end.

Bruce Willis gives a great and heartfelt performance as David Dunn the unbreakable man. Willis is a major part to keeping this film interesting and intriguing as only an actor of his caliber could do so with such an original and mind bending story as this. But Willis is just one part of the coin the other is Samuel L. Jackson who tops Willis in every way but doesn't push himself to overshadow him. Instead Jackson does one better he plays the support part but makes it crucial enough that after the credits roll you remember him as much as Willis. The rest of the cast gives great performances and some of them do stand out in this film like Spencer Treat Clark who plays Willis' son, or Charlayne Woodward who plays Jackson's mother in three parts of the film, but all in all they shine bright and bring everything they've got to the table in this dark and moody potboiler.

"Unbreakable" is a must see of the highest caliber it's a film that cannot be ignored for any reason, even if you don't like Willis or Jackson or Shyamalan for that matter this film is still worth the watch 10 times over. It's constructed to be engrossing, yet subtle, tough and smart, dark and brooding and most of all mysterious. "Unbreakable" is top dog when it comes to capturing your attention and your imagination.