I know, everyone loves to unload the hate on M. Night Shyamalan. I agree, his recent batch of releases have been subpar, but we must keep reminding ourselves that this guy made two or three really solid movies. I believe he has more in him, he just needs a good producer to help edit his visions down. He needs people on the staff willing to tell him how stupid he will look on screen as the writer who is supposed to be the savior of the world. I think Fox is giving him one last chance, and Night actually feels he has something to prove (which is much better than the “F–k them, the people love my stuff” attitude”).
The Happening is a paranoid thriller about a family (Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel) on the run from a natural crisis that presents a large-scale threat to humanity. John Leguizamo also stars. This teaser gets me excited. I love New York City disaster films. Only problem is that the teaser is playing off too much of New York City going nuts, when I hear most of the film takes place in a greener environment. I’m also weary because friends have told me that this is one of Night’s “Faith” based films. The poster even looks reminiscent of the born-again Left Behind series. Watch the trailer below and tell me what you think.
Removed at request of Fox
February 4th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
M night is still awesome. For what it was, which was pretty much just a small scale, modern fairy tale……Lady in the water delivered.
Sixth sense, Signs, Unbreakable were all decent and fun to watch. The Village has been his only misstep imo. Compared to some directors/writers, a 25% margin ain’t that bad. I’m looking forward to this one
February 4th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
wow now this looks like somthing new i don’t want to get my hopts to high but this looks good
February 4th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
weary or wary? Both work for me ;)
February 4th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Just from the teaser it kind of reminds me of The Signal, or To a lesser extent, Stephen King’s “Cell” The people appear to be offing themselves though so In a way it almost has a Suicide Circle vibe going on.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
I thought Unbreakable was by far his best. A very under-rated movie IMO. Certainly one of the best superhero movies. It really helps when he doesn’t show up on screen, Same with Quentin. In fact, if your name isn’t Alfred, stay out from in front of the camera. Alright, Spike was OK in Do the Right Thing. But he’s got a look. Mostly just Quentin and M. I’m sure there are others.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
What Raerth said. Although I’d also like to know why that would make you wary, or weary.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
um the trailer is not playing for me
February 4th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
I really disliked Signs because of it’s forced, hammer on head message of faith. I’m also someone who grew up in a highly catholic family, attended Catholic school, and am now agnostic. I consider myself scientific. I’m willing to listen, learn, and consider, but don’t believe in unprovable things. I’m completely fine with others believing in whatever they want. I’m not one of these annoying preaching guys. If it makes you happy, and makes you a better person, then all the better. But it doesn’t for me, and I hate stories which force these type of beliefs upon the audience. (it should be noted that if there were a film that were pushing agnostic or atheist beliefs, I would be equally against it. It’s not about the message, its about pushing the message on unknowing audiences) I apologize about getting religious (or anti-religious), but I thought I’d offer you guys an explanation.
February 4th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Well, I don’t think the point in Signs was really religious, I think it just implied that there is some underlying reason for everything. Of course, being a priest, the Gibson character called this God.
But I just found that it offered the opinion that their are no accidents in life.
February 4th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
i know i’m in the minority, but i’ve really liked every M. Night picture so far.
i’m glad Jerry brought up the idea of a LITW as a fairy tale. i think it works pretty well on that level. in fact, i think all of M. Night’s movies work better on a metaphorical, symbolic, fairy tale way.
i bet you can imagine i’m stoked to see this trailer.
February 4th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Cloverfield, I Am Legend, and now The Happening. When will people get tired of the same story told over and over again?
February 4th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Wow Daniel. How are they the same?
Cloverfield: Giant monster attacking NYC
IAL: Deadly virus whipes out world. Sole survivor tries to find cure in NYC.
Just because it is in NYC doesn’t mean it is the same.
BTW, looks very good. Might get R rated for all the suicides. Can’t wait
February 4th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
This was written before THE SIGNAL, thanks though, come again.
February 4th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
anyone else having problems loading the video? is not working for me, im gonna try youtube, maybe is already there.
February 4th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
So what if the film’s “message” deals with faith? “Signs” already did that, and it was a breathtaking thriller.
And this is perhaps the best teaser of the year so far. It looks so brutal…
February 4th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
not working for me either
February 4th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
We were linked on digg and our media server is getting slammed. Either come back later or have patience, it will load within a minute on average.
February 4th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
“Only problem is that the teaser is playing off too much of New York City going nuts, when I hear most of the film takes place in a greener environment.”
^^ You’re right. A huge chunk of the Happening was filmed in the town that I live in. According to those that were working on the film, the family runs away to the countryside to escape whatever it is that’s making everybody go nuts. So yeah, I agree that the probably should have put a bit more of that storyline in there.
February 4th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
I like most his work, minus Lady in the Water, and have to give it up for this one.
Looks great, can’t wait, haters don’t participate.
February 4th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
M. Night is precious. Despite someone of his mishaps, he always delivers beautiful looking films. I am thrilled for The Happening because Lady In The Water sort of bummed me out.
February 4th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Only gripe I can really give Lady in the water was *maybe* some of the cgi dealing with the wolf monster. But even that is trivial.
Like I said, i got the feeling that he wanted to go with a really small scope with this one. Heck the whole entire story is set in an apartment complex. This one definitely wasn’t setup for the summer blockbuster going audience.
I think the studio did him the disservice of over-hyping it as an “M NIGHT film from the man who brought you THE SIXTH SENSE”. I think he just wanted to make a small little movie, probably mostly for himself.
Seems that any scope or grandeur that it lacked is going to be more than made up by The Happening.
February 5th, 2008 at 6:06 am
since M. Night Shyamalan always puts himself in his films, ripping off the idea from hitchcock, …I’m looking forward to the scene where M. Night Shyamalan kills himself.
February 5th, 2008 at 6:27 am
I get the Left Behind reference Peter-having read some of that series I believe it would have been better to have left the novels as just that. Sometimes, though, someone gets a bright idea and turns a novel into film when they should have left well enough alone, or at least bankrolled the effort at a much higher level. Even then, IMO, the film or films (egast!) have only probably played to a specific audience. The books reached a wide cast, and the ill-fated strategy of the film makers killed any possible shot at reaching half of the group the books did.
February 5th, 2008 at 9:17 am
love m night’s style.. i will admit that seeing The Village was only good one time in a packed theater, after that… lame.
another unbreakable style movie would be fantastic, this one looks like it has a chance. anything with marky mark has a chance, hah.
February 5th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
When I read the script roughly a year ago, I got excited about this movie. I really like the idea of M.Wahlberg as the lead in this movie. There is the presence of religious ideas, but they don’t permeate the movie. Let’s say that some characters react just like they would if a “Happening” occurred in reality. The script I read certainly strayed away from the religion, and had a cool resolution. I don’t think you’ll see it coming.
February 5th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Typical movie by Shyamalan…cant he go in another direction? IMO im just sick of the same type of move by him over and over again.
February 5th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
I really don’t understand why people have such a problem with faith based scripts. Not even faith based, if it even eludes to faith, people bitch and complain that they are being pressured or forced a message. Just because it’s popular to bash religion doesn’t mean you have to carry it over to film. So what if theres a religious or faith based message. Are you so weak that a movie forces a belief upon you? I don’t believe in vampires or superheros but I don’t care when a movie illustrates that message. Religion, faith, God or whatever you want to call it, regardless if you believe in it, has had a huge impact on our society. Can’t you watch a film and be objective or is a faith based message too powerful for your mind to handle. I myself am not religious but that doesn’t mean that I am incapable of enjoying it when a writer wants to share his viewpoint on the subject. I just don’t understand why it seems that so many people get upset over that type of movie but have no problem watching films dealing with other things they don’t believe in. I think a lot of you confuse separation of church and state with separation of church and entertainment. Get over yourself.
February 5th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
If he wrote it, it’ll be crap. This guy imo is the most overrated filmmaker there is. I guess he’s not a bad director though, but he really should not be writing. He’s a very poor writer imo.
The only decent thing he made was Unbreakable and even that has alot of problems. I think his movies are for people with average to low IQs and are suseptible to stories about the supernatural. His movies are not just fantasy or horror, theyre sermons that these things actually exist and should be taken seriously. Thats different from a work of fiction. Its more like propaganda.
February 5th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
“I think his movies are for people with average to low IQs and are suseptible to stories about the supernatural. His movies are not just fantasy or horror, theyre sermons that these things actually exist and should be taken seriously. Thats different from a work of fiction. Its more like propaganda.”
haha, give me a fucking break. You actually believe he forces these “concepts” of his on people through his films? What Kool-Aid are you drinking?
February 6th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Did any1 ever watch that M. N S speacial on tv about 3 or 4 years ago? U know the one with burntout kids hanging around waiting for him to drive up to his house? Wut was the whole point of that part?!He likes the idea of death and wants people to get use to the fact that death comes for us all!!!!!
February 7th, 2008 at 7:47 am
I completely agree with Jay M on the topic of “faith”. There is absolutely nothing wrong with faith-based films. I consider myself Christian, yes, and a film based on someone’s opinion, whether it be religious or something else, is still THEIR opinon. You may not agree, but it shouldn’t stop someone from speaking up and saying what they believe in. We all have different views and beliefs and movies like Signs isn’ forcing anything on us- it is more a less suggesting or giving an explaination. Personally, I can’t wait for June 13th!!! This movie is gonna rock!
February 7th, 2008 at 10:14 am
The poster may be like the Left Behind series but please nothing else. I like all of M’s movies. He is very creative and so in saying that, this looks entertaining. Sometimes movies are just movies just like novels are just novels. Don’t get me wrong I’m sure that there could possibly be a message but you can’t compare what appears to be mass suicide to the message of Left Behind, the story of hope and new life. We live in a country where we can do things like this. If you have something you want to say write about it. I don’t think anything is shoved down our throat. We have free will. We can choose not to go to the movie but lets face it, we are curious. That’s why their called teasers/trailors. It’s got me interested. So see you at the movie…..or not ;)
February 7th, 2008 at 10:45 am
i was an extra in this film and all i can say that it will most likely be great. this was the first ive seen of it and it looks amazing
GAAHHH june cannot come fast enough.
February 7th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
I love Mark so I really don’t care I will see it.
February 11th, 2008 at 11:22 am
whats happenning anyway?
March 11th, 2008 at 12:16 am
shyamalans movies are always engaging, i mean lady in The waTer was kinda
crappy but you dont find that out till the end. so atleast i was
entertained for the most part. and i like that his films often have a moral compass. it adds depth to his characters. he s still a good film maker 2 me
March 15th, 2008 at 9:13 am
I feel it’s geared to more of an environmental threat, considering the tagline: “We’ve Sensed It. We’ve Seen The Signs. Now… It’s Happening.”
He has never let me down with a film, in fact the shunned Lady in the Water is my favorite out of all of his films. I’m in love with the level of thought that he places in each and every movie. I’m sure this one won’t fail my entertaining needs.
March 21st, 2008 at 2:40 pm
it’s philly, not new york.
April 15th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
I think this movie has a very interesting plot and it would keep the viewers excited!
-armine
May 10th, 2008 at 11:59 am
i read all those comments about night,but personally i feel that no one is qualified to comment about night simply because in all these years of cinema no one,i repeat no one has come up with a perfect script like night.watch sixth sense carefully,u bungling idiots [i mean those who critisize night] and u’ll realize what i’m talking about
May 15th, 2008 at 12:14 am
I know people have their own opinions on Night. From a writers point of view I think he’s brilliant. I think people lose sight of his intention which is to weave and tell an amazing story that makes you think about the characters their journey, emotions and the final result which Night is famous for which is finding something inside themselves and maybe inside of you too. His stories have moral questions that we all face, and the fact he brings death and religious aspects to the screen simply asking people to face each with an open mind knowing each exists and that it’s okay they do is great! If you are looking for blow up action, chills and thrills you may not even like this next film. I know I will though because the man is a genius when it comes to understanding the human element and telling a good story that goes along with how human beings think individually and how they deal and cope with different encounters whether they be supernatural or natural.
May 17th, 2008 at 9:06 am
After SIGNS and LADY IN THE WATER I’m staying the frak away from anything marked M Night Shyamalan!
May 30th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I can’t wait to see this film. I’ve loved all of M Night’s works. They are thought provoking and possess a moral compass. Good for him! With the same old predictable, irresponsible crap Hollywood churns out year after year, M. Night’s movies are a refreshing, entertaining and moving alternative. Some people just don’t get it. I do and I’ll be there on opening night!
p.s. I think we need a bit more faith-based messages in movies these days…does it scare some people to realize they have a conscience?
June 4th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
I love watching all of his movies.
June 6th, 2008 at 7:48 am
I think its funny how people say they don’t care for M. Shyamalan because of his redundancy. Star Trek/Wars is redundant, and you see people lined up for those. I am Legend was remade a few times. A lot of the movies being released lately are not only redundant in theme, but are in fact remakes of previous films. Not to say that this isn’t an honest way to make a film, but at least with Shyamalan he writes a new, different story to go with his interesting, albeit somewhat formulaic plots. I didn’t care for Lady in the water for one reason only, and that was this woman was never really explained. In some ways I think that with Lady Shyamalan was sticking it to his critics with the man who spoke of how the plot will go and how predictable it is, only to be killed by one of the beasts.
Perhaps he knows how seriously he isn’t taken these days and is willing to keep doing what he loves, and whether it be because like some say he is that conceited, he drank the kool aid-or is just off his rocker-at least he has a vision and goes with it, and doesn’t stop because people tell him he sucks. That is worth some kudos in my eyes.
And for those of you who don’t like him, but magically have seen all his movies, are you the type who goes to a restaurant and complains that the last five times you were there the food was horrible? Can anyone else see what is wrong with the logic behind that action and statement??? ;)
June 6th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
He can make great movies but likes stupid twists that dont always work. The Village was ignorant. He also doesnt quite research good enough. Spoiler possible here- show me a corn field that you can walk through in the middle of the night and NOT get wet from the dew. Signs was great until the end.
June 16th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
“…As a film, M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Happening” could have been better but the environmental commentary embedded within the story is very interesting. He wields the proclamation as a sword, which he uses in all of his stories, to disturb the soul. There were some cheeseball moments, especially during the resolution when life seems to go on pretty normally after witnessing so many people commit suicide. But the brilliance of Shyamalan’s stories is that he uses facts and realities as stepping stones into potential horrors. No bloodshed needed. No matter how far fetched it may seem, it is the potential for reality that makes his stories so disturbing. In this way, he stayed true to form and, despite the previous comments, pulled out a film that is certainly worth watching. But just as interesting as the film itself was the commentary on the human footprint on this planet. Shymalan used his forum to address the ongoing debate as to what kind of impact the human population is really having on the environment…”
The Edge of Reason
June 16th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
great and strange movie
June 29th, 2008 at 3:47 am
One of the worst movies I have ever seen. Very stupid movie. I love Mark Walberg but he seemed to pretending to act. Save your money!