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Unbreakable (Vista Series)

Unbreakable (Vista Series)

List Price: $19.99
Your Price: $14.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I had no idea what to expect!
Review: Unfortunately the effect may not be the same for anyone else that has read all the reviews here and then goes and sees the movie, but I went into it only knowing that it was about a guy that seems 'unbreakable' so the whole movie was a big surprise for me. I loved it because it's the first time in a very long time that I've seen something truly different, something unique. The classic Bruce Willis tortured soul expression might perhaps get old after awhile, but in this movie it fits. And Samuel Jackson's performance is just bizarre, but again in this movie it fits... it all fits, including the way the film is shot which at first seems rather aggravating until you really get a feel for the film. At one point my husband expressed distress when he thought the movie was over thinking it was a poor end, however I commented where else could it go at that point, and it still went somewhere much to my pleasure. I really hated the sixth sense -the whole idea of a young child having to put in effort to help out dead people that both emotionally AND physically torture and abuse him was all too sickening for me and if not for the 'surprise' ending it really had no redeeming qualities- however this one gets mucho thumbs up from me. The slow pace and quiet tone of this movie work wonders in contrast to the over the top premise, a concept that could otherwise so easily come across as campy is made very real for us as viewers.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Bad Plot mixed with good acting and good film production
Review: I had problems with this film. The acting in it is superb; Samuel L. Jackson and Bruce Willis both give great performances. The main problem, however, is found in the plot. Not enough attention is given to further explaining the premise of the story - that comic books are a contemporary way to pass on history (like egyptian hieroglyphics) and hold basic truths about mankind that are hidden in layers of colorful pages depicting extraordinary characters. It's an elementary fact that life is a struggle between poles; good and evil, deceit and truth. The reason WHY comics are special needed to be emphasized more.

The reason why I gave this movie 3 stars is because I believe that M. Night Shyamalan makes good films. Movies move us, and we can feel when a movie fiddles with the strings of our emotions (whether it be fear inspired by the horror film or joy from a love story, etc..) This movie, despite my problems with the plot, still manages to move and allows the viewer to feel something. Definintely rent this one first before you buy.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Break Stuff
Review: It would be unfair to oneself these days to go into a movie with high expectations. It's been proven time and time again that this day in cinema the suprise is, you usually love the movies you'd thought you'd hate and you usually hate the movies you'd thought you'd love. Maybe it's the high hopes of being a true film fan that sparks these mixed feelings. As a movie fan you await to be apart of something. Movies aren't just escapism, they are experiences. Ways in which one can learn, laugh, and cry completely vicariously through characters who we relate to, sympathize with, and at times pity.

Well, this film called The Sixth Sense was what Hollywood called a sleeper hit. No one expected that movie to do the box office damage it did. Not because it wasn't brilliant movie but because it was so crafty, emotionally drawn out, and paced much slower than your usual creep fest, many believed there was no audience. But M. Night Shyamalan has a gift for storytelling and definitely story crafting. He makes us hold onto these mysterious characters even if we have no idea where we're being taken too. That was the beauty of the Sixth Sense.

Now, here is Unbreakable. Too an extent, it attempts to capture that same beauty of the Sixth Sense with the mysteriousness of the characters. Who are these people? What is going on? You ask scene after scene. Unbreakable is a beautiful concept film. It has these strong ideas, nurtured into a screenplay. But that is where the problem lies. The script. Although I give Night credit for not doing the same old formulaic scenario, still it felt like three different movies and each major plot twist felt cheapening. So by the end, many people are thoroughly disappointed. That's all? That's it? In essence, yes.

What is good about Unbreakable, is the fact of its uniqueness. It's ideas and concepts on balance in the universe, opposition, purpose, and the nature of what is good and evil. It made you think and question.

Unbreakable is not a film for everyone. I do say it is for the crowd who enjoys movies that try new things and new ways of storytelling. It wasn't great, it was simply good. While the comic book over tones and thematic elements in the movie are interesting ways to approach the depth of this film, we still feel cheated at end but it's our fault, comic books---in all their brilliance and conceptualizing varations--always tell the same story.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Not "The Sixth Sense II"
Review: I was worried that this would be a repeat of "The Sixth Sense." It is not, though there are certainly elements, such as the critical revelation at the end, which both share. I recommend the film, and I especially recommend the DVD! The extras on this DVD are exceptional. Be sure to watch them if you are watching "Unbreakable" with friends and want to jump start a discussion. Extras include an interview with Night Shyamalan, who is as articulate in front of the camera as behind it, and a series of shots you can see (and switch back and forth between) as storyboard and as the finished product.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: A dull, slow movie
Review: This movie moves like it was shot in slow motion. Bruce Willis seems to sleepwalk through the entire thing, and even the action scene fails to excite. Comic books play a significant part in the film and Shyamalan shot everything to look like it was framed in a comic panel. Sometimes this works, but once you notice the technique, it becomes annoying. Scenes that should be intimate, like a conversation between Willis and Jackson, are shot from far away to frame them between fence posts, instead of close up. Overall, very artificial. The ending is not a surprise, but it is hardly satisfying. The best part about this movie is Samuel Jackson, who, as always, provides a fine performance.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Moody, dark, and totalling mind-blowing.
Review: When I stepped into the theater to see M. Night Shyamalan's newest film, "Unbreakable", I had no idea what I was about to see. And I was blown away.

I will not even begin to explain the story, as I feel doing so completely ruins the effect of the movie. Go see this without knowing its plot; you will enjoy it more and really understand the depth of this film.

Everything screams of ATD...Attention to detail. The actors are all top calibur, and all give top level performances. The director is truly a visionary, and his flow and ideas are the bedrock of this film. There are no special effects. There is little "action." But the film, even with its slow pace, manages to hook the viewer into this unstable world that the cinematographer and director have brilliantly created through artistic and gentle style. The music is some of the best. Even when I first heard the opening title music, I knew there would be something special. The music is simply gorgeous, and matches the film perfectly. The script is excellent. At no point do the lines sound corny or unrealistic. Through the entire film, you will truly believe that this film is real.

I must salute the entire production team for taking such a cliched, campy, and ridiculous premise, and turning it into a gritty, realistic and gripping piece of art. The film is not "The Sixth Sense." But in my humble opinion, it is honestly some far greater, and more masterful. After all of the big-budget popcorn movie trash that has been floating around (Pearl Harbor, Tomb Raider, Swordfish,etc), it is truly refreshing to see CINEMA. Not a movie, but a FILM. Truly something of excellence, that holds no punches and no regrets. Bravo, Night. You have earned my respect.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: requires a lot of patience
Review: This is, most certainly, a peculiar film. I'm not amazed on how the film has managed to split its audience in two halves, the ones who love it and those who loathe it. First off, UNBREAKABLE requires a lot of patience. In fact, patience should be coming out of you ears. Because you won't really understand what's going on, and where things are going, before the film ends. And the entire film is very slow-paced, with no climaxes. Everything sort off just drifts a long. The scenes are long and the dialogues are low-key. Nobody are shouting. Nobody are firing guns. And there are no ghosts "hanging" around like in THE SIXTH SENSE. But when you finally arrive at the ending, after a long journey, everything will suddenly become clear to you, and the film will seem brilliant in retrospect. Trust me on that. And you'll laugh! I did, at least: I rate this as one of the coolest endings since THE USUAL SUSPECTS. Much better than THE SIXTH SENSE (but a lot of people will disagree with me on this one). But writer / director M. Night Shyamalan should have made the journey much more thrilling (for it's the journey that makes it all worth while). Other than this, the film features nice visuals and good acting.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Interesting Premise
Review: While the subtle comic book setting and story line are interesting, and might even make for good sequel material, I think Bruce Willis needs to lighten up a bit. I don't mean to imply that he is overly melodramatic, but even the gravity of what his character is learning about himself should not preclude the occasional smile, or outright laughter. Perhaps this somberness is a result of writing or directing, but whatever the reason, smile, Bruce, it wont hurt.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Fabulous! I was hooked throughout the entire movie.
Review: Wow... I have one word to say of Unbreakable: Awesome.

Not like "Dude, that's awesome!". I mean awesome as in overwhelming wonder and veneration. Unbreakable is awesome. It's one of those movies that, once it's over, one can only sit and stare at the screen in wonder to what was just witnessed. Jackson's performance is the icing on Shyamalan's brilliant cake.

Awesome...

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: A parabolic trajectory...
Review: ...describes the development of this film.

The first hour and a half: momentum builds impressively, intriguing direction. Next half hour: levels off a bit, nervous glances all round, where will it drop? Final five minutes: the revelation... is that it?

More firecracker than Cruise missile; terribly disappointing "twist". Do yourself a favour - ask someone whose seen the film to tell you the ending, and spend the cash on something more worthy. Sorry, Night, must try harder.


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