Today’s quick review: Signs. Graham Hess (Mel Gibson), a priest who lost his faith after the death of his wife, lives on a farm in Pennsylvania with his brother Merrill (Joaquin Phoenix), his son Morgan (Rory Culkin), and his dauguhter Bo (Abigail Breslin). The family must confront the unknown when a series of strange occurrences, including crop circles, animal attacks, and strange radio signals, hint at a coming alien invasion.
Signs is a science fiction movie written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. Signs is a straight take on the alien invasion genre reminiscent of the science fiction of the 1950s. Executed in a subdued, serious style and backed by Shyamalan’s thoughtful writing and direction, the movie balances character, mystery, and suspense. However, the film’s slow pacing and hit-or-miss payoff keep it from fully capitalizing on its strengths.
Signs spends as much time building up its characters as it does on the alien invasion. Graham and his family are all unique, well-defined, and very human characters who react to the events around them in understandable ways. What they lack in flashiness they make up for in staying power. The Hesses are easy people to get used to, and their dynamic as a family only grows stronger as the movie goes on. Strong characters give the film plenty of heart.
Signs also has a sense of humor that’s seen in countless little moments throughout the movie. For the most part, Signs plays its story straight, sticking closely to the plot and tone one would expect from the genre. But it gives its characters free reign to behave like real people, with all the skepticism, credulity, and bafflement that entails. The result is a layer of wry self-awareness that doesn’t undermine the seriousness of the story.
However, Signs does have a few issues with its story that end up holding it back. The pacing of the movie is extremely slow, a lengthy chain of clues and foreshadowing that takes a long time to reach any payoff. By the time the story really gets underway, there’s not much room for a full conflict. Signs does have a satisfying mystery at its core, but it’s a more restricted one than the movie first lets on, even if it does tie everything together.
Watch Signs when you’re in the mood for a sci-fi mystery with a bit of suspense, solid craftsmanship, and likable characters. Signs is an unusual combination of the familiar and the innovative. Fans of M. Night Shyamalan’s directorial style will appreciate it, as will those who like puzzles, sci-fi in general, and character-driven stories. Skip it if you’re looking for a fast-paced story, sci-fi action, or hardcore suspense or horror.
For a similarly slow-paced, character-focused sci-fi movie from M. Night Shyamalan, check out Unbreakable. For a more suspenseful, horror-oriented take on a similar premise, try A Quiet Place. For a bleaker, more catastrophic alien invasion movie, check out War of the Worlds. For another classic tale of alien contact, check out Close Encounters of the Third Kind. For another, lighter take on 50s-style sci-fi, check out The Iron Giant.
6.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for well-drawn characters and skilled direction, hurt somewhat by its slow-paced, passive story.