Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by Grant (M) on July 12, 2010 at 07:20:14

In Reply to: RE: Signs was so stupid that it was insulting posted by Rob Doorack on July 08, 2010 at 07:55:50

...depictions" of anything in that movie. I was less insulted because I watched with my kids on DVR, not as a $50 theater experience. Still, I thought it was more like a comedy that almost worked, with dramatic themes forcibly woven in--which was the films principal undoing.

Joachim Phoenix was great throughout the film and Gibson had several nice dry-humor moments as did Breslin and Culkin. There were even a couple laugh out loud scenes and a few unintentionally dumb moments that also made us smile.

The tension with the Aliens was corny and a contrivance to drive the "struggle of faith" message of the film. There was a nice scary moment or two for our 10 year old. This seemed made for a teen audience with some adult themes. They tried to do way too much with too little.

The film is indefensible on many levels but it was watchable and mildly entertaining on a rainy Saturday. If you look at what PG-13 films are "ok" for kids 10-14 Signs doesn't seem so bad.

Next to the other M. Night films Signs had a few redeeming qualities; mainly humor and a lack of serious language and violence--which is likely why they went with water and trouble with locks as the Aliens undoing.... they fit the silly, mostly mild nature of the film.