$2.50 Reviews: Signs (2002)

Recommended Videos

Marter

Elite Member
Legacy
Oct 27, 2009
14,268
19
43
$2.50 Reviews:
Signs
<img height=400>http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/5931/signso.jpg

I almost feel like I'm missing something here. Where was the twist ending that M. Night Shyamalan's movies are famous for? I didn't see one, anyway. I'm not sure if that's a good thing either. See, even though Shyamalan doesn't always make the best films, they usually manage to stay interesting, as you are always looking for clues regarding the ending. In Signs, you don't get this same type of satisfaction, and makes re-watching it somewhat of a pointless exercise.

[Img_Inline width="275" Caption="His kids are dead serious about the hats." Align="left"]http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/7166/signsv.jpg[/Img_Inline]

Granted, on the first watch, you can still look for clues regarding some twist; you just won't find any. I'll still encourage you to look, as there are other types of imagery used within the film. There are clever symbols hidden throughout, as well as more than a few instances of foreshadowing. Keeping a keen eye out for these will ultimately end up keeping you far more alert than watching the movie will.

I think I went into Signs with the wrong mindset. In fact, almost the complete opposite mindset of what I likely needed in order to enjoy the film. I had believed that it was going to be a film similar to War of the Worlds; one where an alien invasion is occurring. In fact, Signs is incredibly limited in showing off the creatures which are invading the planet. Shyamalan is someone who doesn't like to use CGI, and instead uses other tricks in an attempt to make us care that life as we know it may soon cease.

Unfortunately, these tricks don't work in Signs. The aliens, or what we do see of them, are always hidden in shadow, or captured through a blurry "amateur" recording device. We don't get to see them, meaning the one thing that you want to see from an alien film, the aliens, don't feature prominently at all.

As a matter of fact, Signs isn't really about an alien invasion at all. That acts more as the backdrop for the characters, rather as a way to structure the plot. What plot there is ends up being quite little, if almost nonexistent. Graham Hess (Mel Gibson) is a former priest, one who has lost his faith due to a personal tragedy revealed approximately mid-way through the film. He lives with his children and younger brother (Joaquin Phoenix) on a farm outside of a small town. Soon, they begin to notice strange things are happening, and after turning on the television, learn that there are UFOs above major cities all over the world. The aliens have finally come.

However, this premise gets pushed aside for its characters. Some of these characters are not ones that you wish to spend a lot of time with, and others just don't get the development they need. Gibson's character, Graham, falls into the former category. He carries most of the movie on his back, but he doesn't act like you would think a normal human being would. There is one scene in particular that made me do a double take. He and his brother are sitting on the couch. Graham, being the older one, is asked by his brother to say something comforting in this time of fear. Graham replies with a long story about how there are two kinds of people in the world: Ones who believe that there are coincidences, and people who believe that there aren't. No "Everything will be okay" or "It's okay, come here, give me a hug". Instead, he tells a story in a situation that most people would just give a hug.

[Img_Inline width="275" Caption="The, uh, Signs, that the title is referring to." Align="right"]http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/2113/signsdvdmoviereview.jpg[/Img_Inline]

But of course, this has a point to it. It's the same type of point that many of Shayamalan's films have. There is a message in Signs, one of lost and restored faith. This scene, unrealistic as it is, given the circumstances, ends up being fairly important in regards to this message. Yet, I still can't bring myself to call this good filmmaking. It makes sense given the overall film, but it just isn't plausible enough to make you want to believe in the message being preached.

The biggest positive towards Signs, like The Village after it, is the fact that the musical score used is nice. It improves whatever little tension that exists within the movie. It helps set the mood, and isn't intrusive enough to get in the way. It just kind of sits there, and isn't nearly as up-front as the message that the film tries to preach.

I almost thought that I missed something after Signs finished. Turns out, I didn't; there just wasn't anything there to miss. The most developed character didn't act like a normal human being would, and despite the fact that Signs was marketed to be an alien invasion film, that's not what it ended up being. It's a character drama, one that there isn't much point in seeing.

<spoiler=Other Reviews>
$2.50 Reviews: <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.226415-2-50-Reviews-The-Happening-2008>The Happening | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.226611-2-50-Reviews-Zodiac-2007>Zodiac | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.226846-2-50-Reviews-Doomsday-2008>Doomsday | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.227257-2-50-Reviews-Resident-Evil-2002>Resident Evil | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.227437-2-50-Reviews-Resident-Evil-Apocalypse-2004>Resident Evil: Apocalypse | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.227628-2-50-Reviews-Resident-Evil-Extinction-2007>Resident Evil Extinction | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.227851-2-50-Reviews-Hero-2002>Hero | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.228340-2-50-Reviews-Whiteout-2009>Whiteout | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.228546-2-50-Reviews-Max-Payne-2008>Max Payne | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.228761-2-50-Reviews-Pans-Labyrinth-2006>Pan's Labyrinth | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.228937-2-50-Reviews-The-Descent-2005>The Descent | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.229137-2-50-Reviews-Hot-Fuzz-2007>Hot Fuzz | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.229338-2-50-Reviews-The-Brothers-Grimm-2005>The Brothers Grimm | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.229562-2-50-Reviews-Van-Helsing-2004>Van Helsing | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.230212-2-50-Reviews-Hitman-2007>Hitman | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.230924-2-50-Reviews-The-Departed-2006>The Departed | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.231661-2-50-Reviews-Snow-Angels-2007>Snow Angels | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.231873-Marter-to-the-Movies-Scott-Pilgrim-vs-the-World>Scott Pilgrim vs. the World | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.232183-2-50-Reviews-Shaun-of-the-Dead-2004>Shaun of the Dead | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.232615-2-50-Reviews-Hard-Candy-2005>Hard Candy | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.233075-2-50-Reviews-Constantine-2005>Constantine | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.233733-2-50-Reviews-Shooter-2007>Shooter | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.234636-2-50-Reviews-The-Road-2009>The Road | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.234802-2-50-Reviews-No-Country-for-Old-Men-2007>No Country for Old Men | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.235149-2-50-Reviews-Benny-Joon-1993>Benny & Joon | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.235375-2-50-Reviews-Citizen-Kane-1941>Citizen Kane | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.235794-2-50-Reviews-Let-the-Right-One-In-2008>Let the Right One In | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.236294-2-50-Reviews-The-Condemned-2007>The Condemned | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.236591-2-50-Reviews-Se7en-1995>Se7en | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.237595-2-50-Reviews-Equilibrium-2002>Equilibrium | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.237678-2-50-Reviews-Underworld-2003>Underworld | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.237801-2-50-Reviews-Underworld-Evolution-2006>Underworld: Evolution | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.238014-2-50-Reviews-Underworld-Rise-of-the-Lycans-2009>Underworld: Rise of the Lycans | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.238328-2-50-Reviews-Cloverfield-2008>Cloverfield | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.238765-2-50-Reviews-Taken-2008>Taken | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.238957-2-50-Reviews-A-History-of-Violence-2005>A History of Violence | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.239125-2-50-Reviews-Monty-Python-and-the-Holy-Grail-1975>Monty Python and the Holy Grail | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.239253-2-50-Reviews-King-Arthur-2004>King Arthur | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.239993-2-50-Reviews-Skinwalkers-2006>Skinwalkers | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.240196-2-50-Reviews-I-Heart-Huckabees-2004>I Heart Huckabees | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.240356-2-50-Reviews-Hollow-Man-2000>Hollow Man | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.240465-2-50-Reviews-30-Days-of-Night-2007>30 Days of Night | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.240632-2-50-Reviews-Funny-Games-2007>Funny Games | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.240929-2-50-Reviews-The-Village-2004>The Village | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.241026-2-50-Reviews-Vacancy-2007>Vacancy | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.241363-2-50-Reviews-The-Sixth-Sense-1999>The Sixth Sense | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.241559-2-50-Reviews-Haute-Tension-2003>Haute Tension | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.241735-2-50-Reviews-Martyrs-2008>Martyrs | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.241838-2-50-Reviews-Silent-Hill-2006>Silent Hill | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.242013-2-50-Reviews-Trick-r-Treat-2007-Halloween-Wrap-up>Trick 'r Treat | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.242335-2-50-Reviews-Pirates-of-the-Caribbean-Curse-of-the-Black-Pearl-2003>Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.242568-2-50-Reviews-Pirates-of-the-Caribbean-Dead-Mans-Chest-2006>Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.242769-2-50-Reviews-Pirates-of-the-Caribbean-At-Worlds-End-2007>Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.242946-2-50-Reviews-Ultraviolet-2006>Ultraviolet | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.243272-2-50-Reviews-Eastern-Promises-2007>Eastern Promises | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.243349-2-50-Reviews-King-Lear-1953>King Lear | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.243507-2-50-Reviews-Stranger-than-Fiction-2006>Stranger than Fiction | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.243679-2-50-Reviews-Body-of-Lies-2008>Body of Lies | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.243884-2-50-Reviews-Gone-Baby-Gone-2007>Gone Baby Gone | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.244104-2-50-Reviews-Flightplan-2005>Flightplan | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.244328-2-50-Reviews-Natural-Born-Killers-1994>Natural Born Killers | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.244556-2-50-Reviews-Children-of-Men-2006>Children of Men, <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.244704-2-50-Reviews-Four-Brothers-2005>Four Brothers | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.244923-2-50-Reviews-The-Day-After-Tomorrow-2004>The Day After Tomorrow | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.245039-2-50-Reviews-The-Prestige-2006>The Prestige | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.245995-2-50-Reviews-Napoleon-Dynamite-2004>Napoleon Dynamite | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.246107-2-50-Reviews-Lakeview-Terrace-2008>Lakeview Terrace | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.246582-2-50-Reviews-Shutter-Island-2010>Shutter Island

Marter to the Movies: <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.234554-Marter-to-the-Movies-Salt>Salt | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.236240-Marter-to-the-Movies-Let-Me-In>Let Me In | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.238550-Marter-to-the-Movies-The-Social-Network>The Social Network | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.239775-Marter-to-the-Movies-Red>Red

Marter Reviews: <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.176952-Marter-Reviews-Heavy-Rain>Heavy Rain | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.216897-Marter-reviews-MLB-10-The-Show>MLB 10: The Show | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.224454-Late-to-the-Party-Ratchet-Clank-Future-A-Crack-in-Time>Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time

Late to the Party: <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.209641-Late-to-the-party-Twisted-Metal-Head-On-Extra-Twisted-Edition>Twisted Metal: Head On | <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.223135-Late-to-the-party-Bladestorm-The-Hundred-Years-War>Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War

If you are a fan of my reviews, and you want to boost my ego receive notifications when new reviews are posted, please join this <url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/2-50-Reviews>user group.
 

WrongSprite

Resident Morrowind Fanboy
Aug 10, 2008
4,502
0
0
Eugh, I remember seeing this on a school coach when I was a little kid. Scared the absolute crap out of me.
 

zombiesinc

One day, we'll wake the zombies
Mar 29, 2010
2,508
0
0
Well, I disagree with your opinion on the film, but the review itself was good (solid actually). No grammatical errors or awkward sentences.

Keep 'em coming Marter.
 

Steppin Razor

New member
Dec 15, 2009
6,868
0
0
Pretty good review this. 'tis a real shame that it's for such a shitty film.

If the above didn't make it obvious, I hated Signs. Dear god I hate this with a passion. Dousing myself in petrol and striking up a match is something I would rather do than be forced to watch this steaming pile of crap again.
 

Marik2

Phone Poster
Nov 10, 2009
5,461
0
0
Yeah this movie sucked big time, the characters were dumb and the pacing of the plot was extremely slow.