Signs

Cast: Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin, Abigail Breslin and Cherry Jones.

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Release Date: 2002

Genre: Sci Fi/Thriller

Running Time: 1hr 46 minutes

Rating: PG-13

Format: Blu-Ray

Synopsis:

A family living on a farm finds mysterious crop circles in their fields which suggests something more frightening is to come. 

M Night. Shyamalan's "Signs" was quite possibly one of the most anticipated Sci Fi movies of 2002. Shyamalan was unique in his approach to directing an alien film, he made sure not to show too much to his audience. The story really allows you to think about what is happening. Shyamalan was very similar in his directing style to Steven Spielberg when he directed "Jaws", Spielberg made sure not to show the shark to his audience until almost an hour into the film, in order to build suspense and excitement. You don't know what these alien creatures look like until the end of the film, it adds a fantastic sense of mystery to the story and allows audiences to really remain gripped.

Father Graham Hess (Gibson) is still desperately trying to come to terms with the death of his wife when crop circles appear in his corn field. Believing it to be a hoax, he soon realises that crop circles are appearing all around the world, not just in Pennsylvania. Graham must protect his brother Merrill (Phoenix) and his two children Bo (Breslin) and Morgan (Culkin) from a possible alien invasion. The storyline really focuses on the fight for survival, single parenting, death and faith. The story categorises two types of people, those who believe they will be saved in times of great need and those who believe in fate. Is the invasion a miracle? Or is Earth simply just doomed?

Mel Gibson delivers one of his best performances as Graham Hess, a single parent who lost his faith in God when his wife was killed in a car accident. Now relying on the support from his brother Merrill, played excellently by Joaquin Phoenix. The two of them must bring up Graham's two challenging children Bo and Morgan. It becomes apparent quite early on that Bo is gifted, despite there being an alien invasion she appears almost fearless. Almost as if she knows their purpose for being on Earth. The interaction that we see between characters is very real and genuine, humans naturally become frightened of the unknown. A lot of physical emotion is shown through the actors performances, Gibson and Phoenix are particularly good at showing emotion simply through good facial expressions. You can really see the fear in their eyes.

Beautifully shot in Pennsylvania, USA, the setting works exceptionally well with the storyline. The film primarily focuses on the Hess family and their own fight for survival. What really makes the story stand out the most from other end of the world/invasion films is simply M Night. Shyamalan chose not to show you the world in chaos. You don't see people looting shops for last minute supplies you don't see wars breaking out across the globe. You simply see one family fighting to stay alive during an alien invasion. It allows room for surprises. Shyamalan's choice to not use CGI during the open crop circle scene works excellently. It looks genuine and gives off a fantastic effect. The incredible score by James Newton Howard is not only emotional but tremendously thrilling too. It coincides with each scene beautifully, really bringing the story to life.

A tremendous alien film that will allow you to come away thinking and questioning.

5/5 stars