Review of The Sixth Sense (89)

Plot
Malcolm Crowe, a child psychiatrist, is confronted by a former patient who shoots Crowe in the stomach before killing himself. A few months later he begins to help a troubled boy named Cole Sear, who has many of the same problems the former patient had. Crowe sees this as a chance to redeem himself, but doubts his ability to reach the boy, particularly when Cole claims to see ghosts who don't know they're dead.

Jason's Thoughts
The Sixth Sense is one of those movies that everyone loved when it was released and nobody would shut up about it after seeing it. Unfortunately for me, this also meant the big surprise ending was ruined before I even got a chance to sit down and watch it for the first time. Even with the ending spoiled for me, I don't think I would have really liked the movie anyway as it seemed too hokey.

For example, here are a few things I learned from this movie, in no particular order:

- A person can walk around for several months with his only form of communication coming between himself and a little boy. Not having any form of communication between himself and his friends or loved ones or even the occasional convenience store employee will raise any weird flags that something may be amiss.

- Abused children will secretly video tape their attackers in the act. They know exactly when the abuser will strike next and the best camera angle to use to get the footage. They will then place the evidence in an inconspicuous place to be found shortly after they have been killed.

- M. Night Shyamalan is a horrible writer and director.

I will say that my hatred of M. Night Shyamalan has worsened over the years after seeing a series of bad movies that were written and directed by him. His use of twist endings in every single movie he makes has gotten on my nerves to the point that I refuse to watch any new movie that he has had a hand in. With that said, I still went into watching The Sixth Sense with an open mind a decided to give it two stars, as opposed to the one star rating I was going to give it, primarily on the acting and the overall mood of the movie.

If you are looking for a good movie with a great twist ending, I would highly recommend Fight Club, The Usual Suspects, or even Soylent Green, before ever recommending this movie.

Crystal's Thoughts
While I knew Jason had been dreading this movie, I, on the other hand, was looking forward to it. I guess I would be one of those oddballs he refers to, as I enjoyed the movie, both the first time and second. For me, this was one of those movies that you could watch again, and while you might know the ending, you notice different points within it that you didn’t the first time. Not many of us acknowledge that great power of film.

My main reason for appreciating this movie is that, away from the strangeness, I truly believe those who have gone before us do exist with us in some sense in the real world. No, not all gory and weird and for a purpose like those in The Sixth Sense, but as encourages and supporters. The sense we’ve maybe all felt in just something, or shall I say someone, being around when nothing is. The sense that picks you up or gives you that extra push when you simply do not think you can go on any further.

In regards to the film, Haley Joel Osment was extraordinary in this movie. He played his lines so well as such a young child; the acting being better than some adults. I also feel that the storyline was very powerful. If you have not had the end spoiled for you, you truly are shocked. It takes a strong plot and writing to achieve that. Amazingly, I am not that much of a M. Night Shyamalan fan, liking only one other of his films. It may not mean much then saying this is his best, but putting it into the world of film it ranks very high for me.

Comments

No comments have been posted.