The Sixth Sense, in its own way, is a superhero movie as well. Its about someone with an ability that terrifies him (which really makes sense in this case considering the protagonist is a child) who eventually decides to use that ability for good. Plus, I don't think it was an accident for Night to have Cole be cast as young Arthur Pendragon in the school play. Everyone was so focused on the twist ending that they failed to really notice these other elements of the story.
for me, unbreakable did not just mean the unbreakable body of David Dunn, but the unbreakable obsession Elijah has about there being real superheroes. It's his unbreakable obsession that creates the major incident that drives the plot: the train wreck. It's also his mind that seems to be able to manipulate others, such as get secrets out of David, his wife Audrey, the guy who worked at the hotel Elijah later burned down, as if his body was so weak, his mind was strong enough to overcome the will of others.The film also seems to suggest that there are breakable areas in people's lives. David's love towards his wife and son are in the beginning near a breaking point, but the train crash changes all of that, both in the minds of Audrey and Joseph, but also in the mind of David. Elijah's doubt that he would find a real superhero, that he almost gave up hope also indicated that he was near breaking his bond to commit these heinous crimes just to find a sole survivor who was miraculously unharmed. What also seems unbreakable is the idea from both David and Elijah that they don't know their places in the world, that David doesn't know what to do with his life and what he's supposed to do with these abilities he has. The same goes to Elijah, but eventually that is broken in the end. Although what also breaks is David's friendship towards Elijah, as what also seems to have broken is Elijah's mind, him now changing from the eccentric friend to the downright insane monster who has murdered hundreds, just so that life would fit his comic book ideal.
personally i thought that the camera work on the train was actually very good as i thought it was a subtle way of conveying the fact that david is inadvertently cut off from the rest of the world: M Night does this by only showing either willis or the woman he is talking to, which helps to show off the way in which David has distanced homself from society. Also i thought the scene where joseph threatened to shoot david was a great scene in terms of cinematography that was worth mentioning. one of my favourite movies!
I think the different comic books were because of a copyright issue. all the comics in the store are marvel comics, and the active comics seems to be in reference to action comics, so i think they just couldnt get any dc copyrighted material.
The camera movement I think is to be from the little girl's perspective, also oddly a lot of the children (and young Elijah, as well as adult Elijah after he falls down the stairs) are shown looking at the world upside down, e.g. the little girl on the train, David's son while watching tv and seeing the aftermath of the train accident, young Elijah seeing the cover of a comic upside down, I think there is some symbolism here but I can't quite grasp it yet, maybe that kids like Elijah (the villain) are trying to force the world to behave in a nonsensical way by warping their perspective and not grasping the real world consequences of that fantasy logic?
Anybody else notice that in the one scene when Bruce Willis goes to meet Mr jackson in his comic store the 2nd time there's a nick fury comic clear as day in the background. That's some real life foreshadowing, as you know nick fury in the new marvel movies is Mr.Samuel L Jackson
I don't agree with all of the reviews criticism . David not remembering never being sick is because not being sick or hurt is normal to him just as Elijah always getting hurt is normal for him. Elijah always has to think about getting hurt but David doesn't . It has just never been important enough to really think about until Elijah makes a point of it. David would also not realize how strong he is because he is smart and wants to be safe , a trait probably ingrained since high school. It shows in the constant concern he has for safety during the weightlifting scene . He was weightlifting alone and was not going to be a macho man and push it with no one there to help him if something went wrong . He only pushed it then because his son forced the issue. David's esp can be explained as a heightened instinct . We all have instincts but David is just higher in sensing trouble and became more developed from his using it on his job.
Agreed on all points. The question is not why would he not remember he was never sick, the question is why would he remember he's never been sick? How many of us even remember the last time we were sick? What we ate for breakfast? Also, blocking out traumatic events from your life is a very reasonable and common defense mechanism. Plus, he did not forget the car accident at all. It was the most important decision of his life, we just don't see the accident itself until later in the movie. This reviewer failed to realize that while watching because he thought that since we hadn't seen the car accident, David didn't remember it until then. Here is the thing about working out... you never jump up 100s of pounds in weight. Ever. Agreed entirely on that point. I don't care how much you think you can lift, no intelligent body builder is going to risk lifting 100s of extra pounds higher than he's ever lifted. If anything, he'd add 10 pounds and feel great about his progress and cool off and come back the next day to pick up from there. Also, many people work out to maintain a certain level of fitness and not to necessarily improve or max out their strength. I always had the impression that David is a middle-aged guy who works out top stay in shape not go become a body-builder. He's not a football player anymore so he doesn't have a need or desire to go crazy with his workouts. Also, the movie very creatively had him struggling as much as a man his size would have to to lift that kind of weight and the amount of weight is actually not an unreasonable amount. Plenty of strong guys can lift 350 pounds.
gsimon123 Yeah , people don't always remember when they were last sick especially if they are healthy and it was years ago. Agree, He was not just remembering the car accident . He was reliving the memory and the pivotal choice he had made. We just didn't get to see it until he visited the wrecked train and it had him revisiting the memory of his first accident. You can tell by Davids reaction when Elijah tells him his theory's on the car accident that not only does David remember the accident but that Elijah is totally correct. That's exactly my thoughts on his weightlifting too .
Elijah is very aware of The Hero's Journey, and used this basis to guide David to accept his role as a superhero. It's not just in comic books. Movies and books and fairy tales are argued to follow the same formula.
I completely agree Captain. I made a list of my favorite comic book movies, and have had issues with uploads, but this is on the list. All your points are very Valid, and the first thing that led me to disect this film was that it truly was a strong drama, but it could also be enjoyed like the Origin story of a comic book. I did love Shyamalan's use of camera angles. The one you did touch on was on the train, where it is from the kid who's watching POV. An excellent film and well reviewed.
I was surprised you didn't address the cinematography very much... so many of the shots in the movie are reminiscent of the views you'd get in comic book panels. I love this movie and consider it perfect... like you said, so many subtle touches here and there, it's amazing the depth it has.
Interesting thought that I looked into was when Elijah is in the comic book store. It might just be coincidence but he turn and knocks over comic books three times relating to the 3 horrible disasters he causes then he finds the comic!!! 4 shadowing possibility.......
regarding David not realizing he had never been sick seems really consistent with his character to me. Here is a guy who is so controlled and determined to never self-examine. Someone who is as deliberately NOT introspective. He seems like a guy who tries as hard as he can to just shoulder his personal burdens and never complain. A committed Yankee to the core. His lack of memory isn't an affliction it's a decision. He seems like a guy who wants to make himself as small in the world as possible.
Good review. However... at 7:03 this is a play on the "hero's journey" archetype. You see... throughout thousands of years across continents from different races of men we find the same familiar hero's journey story. The classic "call to action" or "catalyst" that spurs the hero to action, the guidance of a mentor, the darkest moment where the hero looks like he will fail, but pulling on an inner strength he rises up and defeats his obstacles, he then attains some new insight about humanity and carries it with him to the future. That story arch is literally the premise of millions of stories that have all lasted the test of time. Jesus, Neo, Luke Skywalker, David Dunn, Superman, Bilbo, Frodo, or even E.T. all follow this same path. They are effectively the same role in each of their stories and hit all of these major beats. They all even have special abilities or powers or inner-strengths that differentiate them from the other characters in the story. They are special. Superheroes are perhaps one of the most blatant examples of the hero's journey there is... I believe this is what Shyamalan was hinting at. Don't you find it mysterious that so many people across so many completely different walks of life all relate to and enjoy the same story outline? Is there some form of truth to the hero's journey? Is heroism a real thing that exists in human nature regardless of our creed or race? This is the mystery Shyamalan was hinting at by explaining it through comic book stories. They have the same universal theme of the hero rising up against adversity and triumphing. So here is the thing... the authors of the comic books are not in on protecting some sacred truth about superheroes existing. They are (perhaps unknowingly) passing on the same story that is interwoven so intricately throughout all of human history. So this same concept of heroes who are "ordained" or "chosen" to watch over the rest of us, while being gifted with special abilities or traits, is really what Mr. Glass is suggesting is true in the case of comic books. That was always my interpretation of this element of the story and is perhaps my favorite element. It is very mysterious that so many different cultures who never interacted with one another all somehow consistently write stories that follow the same mold... it also makes me wonder if perhaps there is some kind of providence or "force" out there that gives certain people inexplicable strength of will to rise up and save us all. It is eerie and beautiful at the same time. Just like this movie :) CHEERS
I love what Jackson says at the end... "How do you when you're the villian, cause both he and the hero are friends" or something like that before he says 'They call me Mr. Glass"
This was one of the best superhero films I had ever seen. I can't say its better than The Dark Knight, however, because they both have different themes and symbols.
M. Night Shyamalan is now definitely one of my favorite superhero, superhuman or supernatural movie directors. This is great, as is Split, and of course, the Sixth Sense! I like his unique filming direction and his creative stories, as is Unbreakable. David Dunn and Elijah Price are very interesting, especially as the Ying and Yang here. The explanation for why David's life is falling apart and is unhappy, and slowly becoming the hero he should be is excellent. I really enjoyed seeing him piece back his life together again; mainly with his family. It's complicated, but by the end I thoroughly enjoyed his evolving connection to Joseph, and how from the start, his son really wanted to believe David was a real life superhero, and in such a dramatic way; tried to prove it. When it comes to Audrey, it's very well done to make you feel as if David is horrible and possibly trying to cheat on his wife, but then you come to know they've been having issues and were heading towards a divorce anyway, although they did try to make it work, which was also engaging to see. There's one deleted scene, of many, I wish could have somehow made it to the final cut relating to this arc, but it's mainly for the drama of it all, which I'll mention later. On first viewing, Mr. Glass as the villain shocks you, because you don't really expect the man fascinated by heroes and comic books to see them in such a twisted way; seeking his dark place in their real world. This is certainly the type of story or film you find yourself really considering various aspects about. Especially now, since the fact it opened the door and became a film series. And what a main theme! It's a 9/10! Sidenote, rewatching it this time made me think: Cole from the Sixth Sense is also one of these sorts of superheroes! Wouldn't it be interesting if Cole had a cameo or was referenced in this world? And, because of stories like this, studios need to allow directors with their own vision for unique characters to give them a go, including if not from any IP yet. Also; this has some excellent deleted scenes. For one, is the conversation David has with a Priest trying to make sence of it all through faith, when he himself isn't religious, and the priest is currently losing all his sense of God, because his nephew died on that same train accident. It's a very powerful scene that explores more on how awful the train wreck was, and lets you in a bit more on how the people of their town must be mourning. Another I liked because of this same reason is when David first arrives home from the hospital, and the news is reporting on that story, while Dunn is weeping in the shower. I understand why Night chose to remove it but also, Bruce Willis is excellent there. Lastly of those I need to mention, is the scene where Audrey asks David out to eat to rekindle their love, only to have one of her friends reveal Audrey was interested in another man and had been eyeing him for a while. Crushing. Just another blow to his heart and mind, while making his whole situation with her more understandable.
I read somewhere that this is Shyalaman's favorite film, and with an amazing cliffhanger-esque ending like this movie had, why the fuck hasn't he done a sequel? Here's an idea for it: Take the basic concept of superhero sequels; the hero must learn to do sacrifices, that doing good doesn't always mean he'll be happy. For Elijah, he could develop the rivalry between him and David, and how insane one man can become when obsessing over a goal.
Like I said, i wasn't sure if Cap considered Avatar to be worry of the tile superhero or not, simply that it would be fun to see him do a review of it since i always find his reviews to be much more in-depth and analytical then many other on-line movie reviewers.
I really like this film, in the sense that it addressed the "realistic" super hero before Heroes, Alphas, X-Men, Batman Begins, ect. It was pretty original for it's time, and was a nice change of pace from most of the 90's super hero movies.
The camera moving between the two in the seats is suppose to be POV from the child in the train. Representing the innocence that is about to be removed after the train accident.
I loved this movie because it wasn't the typical superhero movie. It took it in a real direction with actual drama, the whole mess he has with his wife, looking for another job out of state, troubles with his son......then the Train wreck. I just love it, and how Samuel L Jackson's character was the villian. Then I saw it again, Jackson's character was in his costume, purple jacket and with a glass cane, and the fact that he's wealthy.
@jdude907 How could Shamylan make a sequel without recasting the main characters? unless it was a prequel which would be kinda redundant. Better to either make a 2nd film several years on, or reboot the script as a TV franchise.
as far as the extra sensory perceptions, maybe its saying that david has the ability to see what right in front of him and accept it while elihja on the other hand cant see the truth nor wants to and decides to take actions to manipulate the truth in to something he wants. But over all, i love this channel already, and this is the first vid i've watch by you! Amazing review, n i hope this channel is still active, i love talking about movies.^^
Since you did Unbreakable i have to know. Do you consider 'Avatar the last Airbender' to be a superhero, as it does have many superhero elements, and if so will you be reviewing that movie any time soon?
CPT Logan Great Job on these !! I spent the entire afternoon watching your reviews I agree 90% of the time you got to do one on the AVENGERS series cartoon.. In My opinion the best cartoon comic done!
Mr Glass and David represent two sides of the same coin. Mr Glass sought out David but when he was discovered as a villain David walks away almost in horror to have him seized by the authorities. This is representative of one realizing their strength, and walking away from weakness, and to have that weakness seized and contained. Also note that it was 'weakness' that allowed David to realize his strength. This is why he doesn't realize his strength until the very end.
I know there are a bunch of M. Night haters (and probably rightfully so, considering his works like Lady in the Water, and Air Bender), but this movie has a brilliant plot
M Night was the shit back then, I loved this film and it probably holds up better than The Sixth Sense today. It's just a shame his tarnished reputation will prevent people from seeking this awesome film.
I just don't know what happened to M. Knight Shalayman...I know he gets a lot of retrospective criticism but I personally think the sixth sense is still a good film, with a lot of tension and suspense, and I also think signs is pretty good as well as the village (although you see the worrying trends start to emerge that would later subsume his other work.) Then he makes lady in the water and avatar...that look like he doesn't know what he is doing at all. Yet he made unbreakable?!
I think you missed the ball on this one. Elijah was implying that comic books are simply an age old tale of larger than life humans, who in our world today, we may have forgotten and now simply think of them as children's stories (Biblical stories, Greek legends, etc etc). Also, if you really delve into watching the film, you will see, that (like many super heros) at first their gifts are something to be feared. I think David feared his "powers" and simply buried them not wanting to acknowledge the truth about his abilities. Also, in terms of him comparing himself to others, that is covered in the fact that he either knowingly or subconsicously keeps others at bay. This is foreshadowed by a story near the beginning when the secretary tells a story about getting trampled by a horse. David on some level, and at some point, began to fear his power, so he substituted it by becoming, for lack of better words, a weak loser...but he is anyhting but a weak loser. Also, I think his wife also knew he was different at some level.
You should read some of Joseph Cambell's (sp.) work. He talks a lot about how myths and mythological archetypes have a universal quality to them. I've always felt that comics on some level are the modern incarnation of myths. Their entertaining stories on one level, but also say a lot about society and our values on other levels. Homer and Shakespeare were trying to make ends meet too, That doesn't mean that they were not part of a larger tradition, conscious or not. Intention is overrated.
There are so many things i've overlooked in this movie, thanks for pointing them out.^^ however, i have to disagree about the camera angle thing you talked about on the train, its using the little girl that David was talking to in the beginning as an angle. its suppose to be clever, but i guess i could see why that would seem annoying,
"David has to choke him for a long time before he goes unconscious." I always thought that David choked the guy to death. So after watching your review, I rewatched the movie and paused when David slides the newspaper over to his son. The article reads, ". . . the unknown hero struggled with and killed the home invader . . ." I don't like to pick nits for the sake of nit-picking. I enjoy picking nits for accuracy's sake.
@Geekvolution You should. It's a very good show that seamlessly blends lighthearted humor with a very deep story in a fashion similar to Japanese anime. At the very least i would recommend watching the first three episodes.
Kappa Kiev he used to be incredibly loved, because at the time (the late 1990s) nobody had produced a suspense thriller that way (6th sense) or a superhero movie narrative that wasn't campy (unbreakable) Then when he could do no wrong, he started screwing around with movies. I've never enjoyed any other movie since
Ironic how the man who knew his stuff and really got things down and made a nicely paced movie,made the exact opposite in 2010 He knew a hell of a lot and obviously researched what he didn't know about comics,but did diddly-squat for Asian mythos,deleting the original research the show had. Everything is subtle here and emotional,everything TLA is unsubtle,and with almost no emotions in the acting How damn sad
In a way, whilst I love superhero stories it always frustrates me. Superheroes only ever do the least challenging and least useful part of crime fighting, because the real parts are so much harder. You can stop a mugger but what do you do about his deprived background and ghettoised upbringing moving him into this lifestyle? Or the bit in his brain that doesn't generate empathy properly? It's why we need supervillains, otherwise to justify the heroes
the sick argument is kind of ridiculous. i can only recall a few times I was really sick, but I know have been sick before and after those major times, but still. I dont remember how many times. never really thought about it until it is brought up which is what happened in the movie. he never noticed until it was brought up.
I love this movie espcially the ending in fact this is the only good Shyamalan I have seen. I watched the village, lady in the water, and last airbener(shudders)
When you talk about real life people not becoming superheroes, it's because in reality subduing the suspect is never the problem. How rare is it to hear stories of a crime that happened because the police were overpowered by the man? Even in the UK with our gunless police force, they have mace, training, backup, stab proof vests, batons etc.; In a fight I would lose. The real problems are being in the right place and stopping the crimes from happening again, things always unexplained in comics
This and signs were shymalans last great films I thought the village was okay and lady in the water was alright at best but now it seems like he's not even trying like his name is bank enough for that you know. The happening was the greatest and I don't know if you've seen the last airbender but jesus wept that was bad. His new movie doesn't really look all that interesting either but I'll have to see it before I pass judgement
you are, in fact, incorrect. This movie does not work. I was saddened by this, because this movie had me by the balls for 3/4 of the movie. The finale was sloppy and rushed. I walked away from this movie feeling so let down. Such potential with no pay off... Still great video my friend.
No it isn't it's an epic fantasy,it's more like Lord of the RIngs mixed with Asian mythos and humor rather than a superhero genre The only reason to review is to see how Shyamalan did the exact opposite stuff in that one.
I see alot of talk about airbender.. Ive never watched the show because the movie was so horrid.. What episodes are worth beginning with? & unbreakable is decent..
Please. Stay away from the movie. It is simply terrible. However, the animated show is f***ing BRILLIANT! and now they have a spin off series on Nickolodian, "Avatar: The Legend of Korra," and both are fantastic. I highly recomend watching the show now.
This film is so underrated, one of the most thought-provoking films I've seen, a gem of the superhero genre
I also like the fact that Mr. Glass is shown reflected in glass surfaces throughout the film.
The Sixth Sense, in its own way, is a superhero movie as well. Its about someone with an ability that terrifies him (which really makes sense in this case considering the protagonist is a child) who eventually decides to use that ability for good. Plus, I don't think it was an accident for Night to have Cole be cast as young Arthur Pendragon in the school play. Everyone was so focused on the twist ending that they failed to really notice these other elements of the story.
for me, unbreakable did not just mean the unbreakable body of David Dunn, but the unbreakable obsession Elijah has about there being real superheroes. It's his unbreakable obsession that creates the major incident that drives the plot: the train wreck. It's also his mind that seems to be able to manipulate others, such as get secrets out of David, his wife Audrey, the guy who worked at the hotel Elijah later burned down, as if his body was so weak, his mind was strong enough to overcome the will of others.The film also seems to suggest that there are breakable areas in people's lives. David's love towards his wife and son are in the beginning near a breaking point, but the train crash changes all of that, both in the minds of Audrey and Joseph, but also in the mind of David. Elijah's doubt that he would find a real superhero, that he almost gave up hope also indicated that he was near breaking his bond to commit these heinous crimes just to find a sole survivor who was miraculously unharmed. What also seems unbreakable is the idea from both David and Elijah that they don't know their places in the world, that David doesn't know what to do with his life and what he's supposed to do with these abilities he has. The same goes to Elijah, but eventually that is broken in the end. Although what also breaks is David's friendship towards Elijah, as what also seems to have broken is Elijah's mind, him now changing from the eccentric friend to the downright insane monster who has murdered hundreds, just so that life would fit his comic book ideal.
Love it. One of the best superhero movies ever.
personally i thought that the camera work on the train was actually very good as i thought it was a subtle way of conveying the fact that david is inadvertently cut off from the rest of the world: M Night does this by only showing either willis or the woman he is talking to, which helps to show off the way in which David has distanced homself from society. Also i thought the scene where joseph threatened to shoot david was a great scene in terms of cinematography that was worth mentioning. one of my favourite movies!
I think the different comic books were because of a copyright issue. all the comics in the store are marvel comics, and the active comics seems to be in reference to action comics, so i think they just couldnt get any dc copyrighted material.
The camera movement I think is to be from the little girl's perspective, also oddly a lot of the children (and young Elijah, as well as adult Elijah after he falls down the stairs) are shown looking at the world upside down, e.g. the little girl on the train, David's son while watching tv and seeing the aftermath of the train accident, young Elijah seeing the cover of a comic upside down, I think there is some symbolism here but I can't quite grasp it yet, maybe that kids like Elijah (the villain) are trying to force the world to behave in a nonsensical way by warping their perspective and not grasping the real world consequences of that fantasy logic?
Anybody else notice that in the one scene when Bruce Willis goes to meet Mr jackson in his comic store the 2nd time there's a nick fury comic clear as day in the background. That's some real life foreshadowing, as you know nick fury in the new marvel movies is Mr.Samuel L Jackson
I don't agree with all of the reviews criticism . David not remembering never being sick is because not being sick or hurt is normal to him just as Elijah always getting hurt is normal for him. Elijah always has to think about getting hurt but David doesn't . It has just never been important enough to really think about until Elijah makes a point of it. David would also not realize how strong he is because he is smart and wants to be safe , a trait probably ingrained since high school. It shows in the constant concern he has for safety during the weightlifting scene . He was weightlifting alone and was not going to be a macho man and push it with no one there to help him if something went wrong . He only pushed it then because his son forced the issue. David's esp can be explained as a heightened instinct . We all have instincts but David is just higher in sensing trouble and became more developed from his using it on his job.
Agreed on all points. The question is not why would he not remember he was never sick, the question is why would he remember he's never been sick? How many of us even remember the last time we were sick? What we ate for breakfast?
Also, blocking out traumatic events from your life is a very reasonable and common defense mechanism. Plus, he did not forget the car accident at all. It was the most important decision of his life, we just don't see the accident itself until later in the movie. This reviewer failed to realize that while watching because he thought that since we hadn't seen the car accident, David didn't remember it until then.
Here is the thing about working out... you never jump up 100s of pounds in weight. Ever. Agreed entirely on that point. I don't care how much you think you can lift, no intelligent body builder is going to risk lifting 100s of extra pounds higher than he's ever lifted. If anything, he'd add 10 pounds and feel great about his progress and cool off and come back the next day to pick up from there. Also, many people work out to maintain a certain level of fitness and not to necessarily improve or max out their strength. I always had the impression that David is a middle-aged guy who works out top stay in shape not go become a body-builder. He's not a football player anymore so he doesn't have a need or desire to go crazy with his workouts. Also, the movie very creatively had him struggling as much as a man his size would have to to lift that kind of weight and the amount of weight is actually not an unreasonable amount. Plenty of strong guys can lift 350 pounds.
gsimon123 Yeah , people don't always remember when they were last sick especially if they are healthy and it was years ago. Agree, He was not just remembering the car accident . He was reliving the memory and the pivotal choice he had made. We just didn't get to see it until he visited the wrecked train and it had him revisiting the memory of his first accident. You can tell by Davids reaction when Elijah tells him his theory's on the car accident that not only does David remember the accident but that Elijah is totally correct. That's exactly my thoughts on his weightlifting too .
Elijah is very aware of The Hero's Journey, and used this basis to guide David to accept his role as a superhero. It's not just in comic books. Movies and books and fairy tales are argued to follow the same formula.
Split. You MUST do a spoiler-marked review for Split. Those who have seen Split know why I am attaching the request to THIS video.
I watched Unbreeakable full movie here twitter.com/ab684a9a3969075d6/status/826263886353485826
@KroliggBloodhoof Oops... that's an old holdover from another vid. I forgot to delete those titles out when I finished.
-Captain Logan
I completely agree Captain. I made a list of my favorite comic book movies, and have had issues with uploads, but this is on the list. All your points are very Valid, and the first thing that led me to disect this film was that it truly was a strong drama, but it could also be enjoyed like the Origin story of a comic book. I did love Shyamalan's use of camera angles. The one you did touch on was on the train, where it is from the kid who's watching POV. An excellent film and well reviewed.
the first, last, and only time that the word 'underrated' can be applied to an m. night shyamalan movie
I was surprised you didn't address the cinematography very much... so many of the shots in the movie are reminiscent of the views you'd get in comic book panels. I love this movie and consider it perfect... like you said, so many subtle touches here and there, it's amazing the depth it has.
Interesting thought that I looked into was when Elijah is in the comic book store. It might just be coincidence but he turn and knocks over comic books three times relating to the 3 horrible disasters he causes then he finds the comic!!! 4 shadowing possibility.......
regarding David not realizing he had never been sick seems really consistent with his character to me. Here is a guy who is so controlled and determined to never self-examine. Someone who is as deliberately NOT introspective. He seems like a guy who tries as hard as he can to just shoulder his personal burdens and never complain. A committed Yankee to the core. His lack of memory isn't an affliction it's a decision. He seems like a guy who wants to make himself as small in the world as possible.
Good review. However... at 7:03 this is a play on the "hero's journey" archetype. You see... throughout thousands of years across continents from different races of men we find the same familiar hero's journey story.
The classic "call to action" or "catalyst" that spurs the hero to action, the guidance of a mentor, the darkest moment where the hero looks like he will fail, but pulling on an inner strength he rises up and defeats his obstacles, he then attains some new insight about humanity and carries it with him to the future. That story arch is literally the premise of millions of stories that have all lasted the test of time. Jesus, Neo, Luke Skywalker, David Dunn, Superman, Bilbo, Frodo, or even E.T. all follow this same path. They are effectively the same role in each of their stories and hit all of these major beats. They all even have special abilities or powers or inner-strengths that differentiate them from the other characters in the story. They are special. Superheroes are perhaps one of the most blatant examples of the hero's journey there is...
I believe this is what Shyamalan was hinting at. Don't you find it mysterious that so many people across so many completely different walks of life all relate to and enjoy the same story outline? Is there some form of truth to the hero's journey? Is heroism a real thing that exists in human nature regardless of our creed or race? This is the mystery Shyamalan was hinting at by explaining it through comic book stories. They have the same universal theme of the hero rising up against adversity and triumphing.
So here is the thing... the authors of the comic books are not in on protecting some sacred truth about superheroes existing. They are (perhaps unknowingly) passing on the same story that is interwoven so intricately throughout all of human history. So this same concept of heroes who are "ordained" or "chosen" to watch over the rest of us, while being gifted with special abilities or traits, is really what Mr. Glass is suggesting is true in the case of comic books.
That was always my interpretation of this element of the story and is perhaps my favorite element. It is very mysterious that so many different cultures who never interacted with one another all somehow consistently write stories that follow the same mold... it also makes me wonder if perhaps there is some kind of providence or "force" out there that gives certain people inexplicable strength of will to rise up and save us all. It is eerie and beautiful at the same time. Just like this movie :)
CHEERS
I love what Jackson says at the end...
"How do you when you're the villian, cause both he and the hero are friends" or something like that before he says 'They call me Mr. Glass"
I think you should review super and megamind and Chronicle and matrix
This was one of the best superhero films I had ever seen. I can't say its better than The Dark Knight, however, because they both have different themes and symbols.
the camera moving back and forward on the train was to depict the view of the conversation through the peeping girl in the set in front.
M. Night Shyamalan is now definitely one of my favorite superhero, superhuman or supernatural movie directors. This is great, as is Split, and of course, the Sixth Sense! I like his unique filming direction and his creative stories, as is Unbreakable. David Dunn and Elijah Price are very interesting, especially as the Ying and Yang here. The explanation for why David's life is falling apart and is unhappy, and slowly becoming the hero he should be is excellent. I really enjoyed seeing him piece back his life together again; mainly with his family. It's complicated, but by the end I thoroughly enjoyed his evolving connection to Joseph, and how from the start, his son really wanted to believe David was a real life superhero, and in such a dramatic way; tried to prove it. When it comes to Audrey, it's very well done to make you feel as if David is horrible and possibly trying to cheat on his wife, but then you come to know they've been having issues and were heading towards a divorce anyway, although they did try to make it work, which was also engaging to see. There's one deleted scene, of many, I wish could have somehow made it to the final cut relating to this arc, but it's mainly for the drama of it all, which I'll mention later. On first viewing, Mr. Glass as the villain shocks you, because you don't really expect the man fascinated by heroes and comic books to see them in such a twisted way; seeking his dark place in their real world. This is certainly the type of story or film you find yourself really considering various aspects about. Especially now, since the fact it opened the door and became a film series. And what a main theme! It's a 9/10! Sidenote, rewatching it this time made me think: Cole from the Sixth Sense is also one of these sorts of superheroes! Wouldn't it be interesting if Cole had a cameo or was referenced in this world? And, because of stories like this, studios need to allow directors with their own vision for unique characters to give them a go, including if not from any IP yet. Also; this has some excellent deleted scenes. For one, is the conversation David has with a Priest trying to make sence of it all through faith, when he himself isn't religious, and the priest is currently losing all his sense of God, because his nephew died on that same train accident. It's a very powerful scene that explores more on how awful the train wreck was, and lets you in a bit more on how the people of their town must be mourning. Another I liked because of this same reason is when David first arrives home from the hospital, and the news is reporting on that story, while Dunn is weeping in the shower. I understand why Night chose to remove it but also, Bruce Willis is excellent there. Lastly of those I need to mention, is the scene where Audrey asks David out to eat to rekindle their love, only to have one of her friends reveal Audrey was interested in another man and had been eyeing him for a while. Crushing. Just another blow to his heart and mind, while making his whole situation with her more understandable.
I read somewhere that this is Shyalaman's favorite film, and with an amazing cliffhanger-esque ending like this movie had, why the fuck hasn't he done a sequel?
Here's an idea for it:
Take the basic concept of superhero sequels; the hero must learn to do sacrifices, that doing good doesn't always mean he'll be happy. For Elijah, he could develop the rivalry between him and David, and how insane one man can become when obsessing over a goal.
Like I said, i wasn't sure if Cap considered Avatar to be worry of the tile superhero or not, simply that it would be fun to see him do a review of it since i always find his reviews to be much more in-depth and analytical then many other on-line movie reviewers.
Does anyone know which issue of Active Comics Elijah gets on the bench?
A 12 minute review?! Wow! I remember those days
What's that "1 out of 4" for at the end of the video?
11:55
I really like this film, in the sense that it addressed the "realistic" super hero before Heroes, Alphas, X-Men, Batman Begins, ect.
It was pretty original for it's time, and was a nice change of pace from most of the 90's super hero movies.
The camera moving between the two in the seats is suppose to be POV from the child in the train. Representing the innocence that is about to be removed after the train accident.
I loved this movie because it wasn't the typical superhero movie. It took it in a real direction with actual drama, the whole mess he has with his wife, looking for another job out of state, troubles with his son......then the Train wreck. I just love it, and how Samuel L Jackson's character was the villian. Then I saw it again, Jackson's character was in his costume, purple jacket and with a glass cane, and the fact that he's wealthy.
@jdude907 How could Shamylan make a sequel without recasting the main characters? unless it was a prequel which would be kinda redundant. Better to either make a 2nd film several years on, or reboot the script as a TV franchise.
@Geekvolution
Captain, are you going to review these superhero movies:
The Phantom
Judge Dredd
The Rocketeer
Ghost Rider
I’m very anxious for the eventual rewinds on Split and Glass. The Shyamalan superhero trilogy is very interesting to say the least.
as far as the extra sensory perceptions, maybe its saying that david has the ability to see what right in front of him and accept it while elihja on the other hand cant see the truth nor wants to and decides to take actions to manipulate the truth in to something he wants.
But over all, i love this channel already, and this is the first vid i've watch by you! Amazing review, n i hope this channel is still active, i love talking about movies.^^
@shadowspider9 I've never seen it or the animated show, so I haven't really thought about it. Perhaps.
-CL
Since you did Unbreakable i have to know. Do you consider 'Avatar the last Airbender' to be a superhero, as it does have many superhero elements, and if so will you be reviewing that movie any time soon?
Very good interview, Cap!
CPT Logan Great Job on these !! I spent the entire afternoon watching your reviews I agree 90% of the time you got to do one on the AVENGERS series cartoon.. In My opinion the best cartoon comic done!
Lots of your points don't really make sense from the standpoints you took, but overall good review.
you should a review on No Ordinary Family
Mr Glass and David represent two sides of the same coin. Mr Glass sought out David but when he was discovered as a villain David walks away almost in horror to have him seized by the authorities. This is representative of one realizing their strength, and walking away from weakness, and to have that weakness seized and contained. Also note that it was 'weakness' that allowed David to realize his strength. This is why he doesn't realize his strength until the very end.
i thought they implied in the movie that david knew he had powers before and he just wasn't being honest with himself and other about them
whats the random 1 out of 4 at the end?
What is with 11:55?
@Geekvolution I'd actually like to hear your interpretation of the Last Airbender movie
I know there are a bunch of M. Night haters (and probably rightfully so, considering his works like Lady in the Water, and Air Bender), but this movie has a brilliant plot
David Dunn is forever my favorite superhero 🙏🙏🙏 I believe the overseer shall return
We need more of these realistic superhero movies.
I wasn't into comics when I watched this movie and did enjoy it without realizing what it was. And kudos on getting a sponsor XD
M Night was the shit back then, I loved this film and it probably holds up better than The Sixth Sense today. It's just a shame his tarnished reputation will prevent people from seeking this awesome film.
Awsome review man. Have you ever thought of writing a movie script or a comic of your own?
I just don't know what happened to M. Knight Shalayman...I know he gets a lot of retrospective criticism but I personally think the sixth sense is still a good film, with a lot of tension and suspense, and I also think signs is pretty good as well as the village (although you see the worrying trends start to emerge that would later subsume his other work.) Then he makes lady in the water and avatar...that look like he doesn't know what he is doing at all. Yet he made unbreakable?!
Kind of weird that Campbell is being brought up instead of Carl Jung...
Review Transformers The Movie? Please? the animated movie that is, am curious to know your thoughts bout that movie.
I think you missed the ball on this one. Elijah was implying that comic books are simply an age old tale of larger than life humans, who in our world today, we may have forgotten and now simply think of them as children's stories (Biblical stories, Greek legends, etc etc). Also, if you really delve into watching the film, you will see, that (like many super heros) at first their gifts are something to be feared. I think David feared his "powers" and simply buried them not wanting to acknowledge the truth about his abilities. Also, in terms of him comparing himself to others, that is covered in the fact that he either knowingly or subconsicously keeps others at bay. This is foreshadowed by a story near the beginning when the secretary tells a story about getting trampled by a horse. David on some level, and at some point, began to fear his power, so he substituted it by becoming, for lack of better words, a weak loser...but he is anyhting but a weak loser. Also, I think his wife also knew he was different at some level.
You should read some of Joseph Cambell's (sp.) work. He talks a lot about how myths and mythological archetypes have a universal quality to them. I've always felt that comics on some level are the modern incarnation of myths. Their entertaining stories on one level, but also say a lot about society and our values on other levels. Homer and Shakespeare were trying to make ends meet too, That doesn't mean that they were not part of a larger tradition, conscious or not. Intention is overrated.
There are so many things i've overlooked in this movie, thanks for pointing them out.^^
however, i have to disagree about the camera angle thing you talked about on the train, its using the little girl that David was talking to in the beginning as an angle. its suppose to be clever, but i guess i could see why that would seem annoying,
my favorite Superhero movie of all time
Truely one of the greatest movies of all times!
"David has to choke him for a long time before he goes unconscious." I always thought that David choked the guy to death. So after watching your review, I rewatched the movie and paused when David slides the newspaper over to his son. The article reads, ". . . the unknown hero struggled with and killed the home invader . . ." I don't like to pick nits for the sake of nit-picking. I enjoy picking nits for accuracy's sake.
how about a kick-ass superhero rewind?:)
@Geekvolution You should. It's a very good show that seamlessly blends lighthearted humor with a very deep story in a fashion similar to Japanese anime. At the very least i would recommend watching the first three episodes.
I loved this movie so much, absolutely incredible.
This, Sixth Sense, and Signs are his greatest.
i live near alot of places this movie was shot,such an under rated fim
this is the same guy that directed the last airbender?
Yeah I think so
yes
Kappa Kiev he used to be incredibly loved, because at the time (the late 1990s) nobody had produced a suspense thriller that way (6th sense) or a superhero movie narrative that wasn't campy (unbreakable)
Then when he could do no wrong, he started screwing around with movies. I've never enjoyed any other movie since
+Kappa Kiev amazing isn't it? The same guy that made this genius, also made that big piece of garbage...
I didn't like how CL seems to say that comic strips started with DC &Marvel.Stories told in illustration are as old as modern man!!
11:55
TWIST ENDING OF THE VIDEO!
Ironic how the man who knew his stuff and really got things down and made a nicely paced movie,made the exact opposite in 2010
He knew a hell of a lot and obviously researched what he didn't know about comics,but did diddly-squat for Asian mythos,deleting the original research the show had.
Everything is subtle here and emotional,everything TLA is unsubtle,and with almost no emotions in the acting
How damn sad
A good Night Shyamalan movie... what a twist!
Ah, the good old days when people actually liked M. Night's movies.
Never saw it, but will soon.
this has to be shyamalan's best film.
Love this movie. It's really a shame since Shyamalan, I feel, hasn't made the same caliber of film since.
@blestwon Good points!
-Captain Logan
In a way, whilst I love superhero stories it always frustrates me. Superheroes only ever do the least challenging and least useful part of crime fighting, because the real parts are so much harder. You can stop a mugger but what do you do about his deprived background and ghettoised upbringing moving him into this lifestyle? Or the bit in his brain that doesn't generate empathy properly? It's why we need supervillains, otherwise to justify the heroes
light-hearted handle
the sick argument is kind of ridiculous. i can only recall a few times I was really sick, but I know have been sick before and after those major times, but still. I dont remember how many times. never really thought about it until it is brought up which is what happened in the movie. he never noticed until it was brought up.
My fave film, ever!!!
Cool review
my favorite superhero movie
I love this movie espcially the ending in fact this is the only good Shyamalan I have seen. I watched the village, lady in the water, and last airbener(shudders)
Please out SPOILER in the title if you're going to spoil to twist
Unbreakable is brilliant movie, sad shyamalan went falldown since that
When you talk about real life people not becoming superheroes, it's because in reality subduing the suspect is never the problem. How rare is it to hear stories of a crime that happened because the police were overpowered by the man? Even in the UK with our gunless police force, they have mace, training, backup, stab proof vests, batons etc.; In a fight I would lose. The real problems are being in the right place and stopping the crimes from happening again, things always unexplained in comics
This and signs were shymalans last great films I thought the village was okay and lady in the water was alright at best but now it seems like he's not even trying like his name is bank enough for that you know. The happening was the greatest and I don't know if you've seen the last airbender but jesus wept that was bad. His new movie doesn't really look all that interesting either but I'll have to see it before I pass judgement
you are, in fact, incorrect. This movie does not work. I was saddened by this, because this movie had me by the balls for 3/4 of the movie. The finale was sloppy and rushed. I walked away from this movie feeling so let down. Such potential with no pay off...
Still great video my friend.
so generic comics makes you a supervillian, intriguing.
This is by far M. Night Shyamalan's only GOOD movie.
Good luck Captain. Really.
I was looking forward to Planet hulk,the comic book is EPIC but the animation barely scatched the surfice.Massive dissapointment!!
No it isn't it's an epic fantasy,it's more like Lord of the RIngs mixed with Asian mythos and humor rather than a superhero genre
The only reason to review is to see how Shyamalan did the exact opposite stuff in that one.
I see alot of talk about airbender.. Ive never watched the show because the movie was so horrid.. What episodes are worth beginning with? & unbreakable is decent..
doesnt bruce willis's character bench 500 pounds at one point?
Eh hem Wide Awake
Please. Stay away from the movie. It is simply terrible. However, the animated show is f***ing BRILLIANT! and now they have a spin off series on Nickolodian, "Avatar: The Legend of Korra," and both are fantastic. I highly recomend watching the show now.
Great movie !
Unwatchable is a good .. movie - really - uuops, I mean Unbreakable.
Make when Shyamalan wasn't an egotistical hack.