Spoiler For M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Happening”? Do You Care?
By Norm Schrager at August 25, 2007 | 9:57 am | Print
UPDATE (10.02.08) With the DVD release coming next week, here comes further debate regarding M. Night Shyamalan’s talents (or lack thereof) as well as the quality of The Happening. Join us!
Purchase The Happening on DVD from Amazon.com
Or pick up the Blu-ray Special Edition, also from Amazon
UPDATE (3.13.08) Check out our preview for The Happening, including the full trailer.
ORIGINAL POST: When M. Night Shyamalan was interviewed for the recent AFI Top 100 List, he admitted The Sixth Sense would never have been as successful if it came out now. Why? Because after one weekend, an army of morons would have rushed online and given away the ending. (My words, not his.)
True enough. But do Shaymalan’s movies deserve the ultra secrecy he demands? I get the feeling he’s becoming more of a marketer — hinging on the ridiculous “twist” ending concept — than a filmmaker.
When The Happening started production, I commented on his plot privacy — as well as his ability to make fun of it.
Now, the Philadelphia-based web site Phillyist has offered a plot summary and spoiler for The Happening. Is it real? Probably, but who gives a crap? For me, the biggest story is how much this may spoil Shyamalan’s valued secrecy… and how right his AFI comment was.
If you’re interested, here’s the link to the Phillyist post. If you haven’t seen the movie, please note: The spoiler is 100% accurate. But it also isn’t giving away the ending of the film — just the condition of one particular character, among other things.
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14 Comments
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Interestingly enough, a friend of mine and I were just discussing films with big twists. We found that today too much emphasis is often placed on the twist of a film. Take for example, “The Crying Game.” The movie was released as a small independent, but then word of mouth made them market the film touting its glorious twist. The twist takes place less than half-way through the film, and of course more people were fascinated by a mere plot point than the impressiveness of the entire film: actors, script and story were great.
I think too many films today rely on a small twist with little thought to plot or characters. One of the reasons I loved “The Sixth Sense” was because of its compelling characters and situations, not just because of a twist.
For those of you who like to be surprised, I would recommend watching the original “Twilight Zone” and “Outer Limits.” You’ll find that its all been done before.
-Elijah Scott -
- Elijah Scott –
I was just commenting with folks on /film about an odd “Top Ten” endings list. I had to mention Planet of the Apes, which has a classic Twilight Zone finish (especially since Rod Serling was a writer on the film)…
I contributed to filmcritic.com’s Top 50 endings of all time. Check it out if you’d like:
-Norm S.
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If I made a movie, Brooke Oberwetter would run around naked screaming “there’s no global warming” and she’d be telling the truth as well as showing the world her small boobs and flat ass.
it is as close as Andrew Langer is ever going to get. I just wish someone would do something about that Hawking, he’s really put a dent into my book sales.
John Berlau
Author, Eco-Freaks -
Well regardless I hated The Village, I hated Signs and I wouldnt even bother with Lady In The Water. Spoil the ending all over the internet all you want im still not gonna read it nor watch “The Happening” on the simple fact M.Night Shyamalan is a joke filmmaker….He should eat himself alive! He’s a little arb bitch!
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Sam,
I hated village and signs, but i actually found myself liking Lady in the Water. I mean its a interesting little story that kept me entertained, and i didn’t have high expectations like i did for signs and than village. I would recommend it, but …i really don’t know your movie tastes. -
I agree with Sam… hated The Village (actually predicted the “twist”), Signs & The lady in the Water. I did like Sixth Sense and Unbreakable though.
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Wow, I’ve only watched sixth sense and unbreakable and enjoyed them both, but I haven’t seen any of his other movies on the advice of my friends. One of my friends told me that ‘signs’ has the sort of ending that I absolutely can’t stand, so that was enough for me to stay home. His other movies weren’t so great that it was really worth the risk. That mastercard commercial made me think he was an arrogant prick, though. kinda embarrassing…
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Not Brooke Oberwetter naked. Brooke Oberwetter in a coatee and full dyke and nothing else.
She can be the rat, Berlau one of the cadre and Langer could be a visiting knob, would fit him well.
Maybe Jessica Melugin as Shannon Faulkner?
The Virginia Military Institute made me what I am.
Country First, Bend over Sarah.
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Okay first of all these aren’t movies like you one trick ponies think they are.
Each film is a STORY. Since you all probably can’t read these make no sense to you. You don’t pay attention to anything but the ending and since that forces you to use all to think and make your own decisions (as bad as those might be).
Shyamalan’s films do not preech grande cinematic experiences they mean to tell us something. I mean sure he places more elements on the characters than special effects but that is all to develop a truly spectacular plot.
Signs – Phenomenal movie. I am a huge fan of Mel Gibson and his works. It played to everyone, if you didn’t like it, listen for the pop when your head comes out of your ass for the first time.
The Village – Great if you understand it. It WAS NOT about the Monsters (as much as you cried and wanted it to be) it was about the people in the Village trying to re-create a modern form of Eden. Remember, the PEOPLE NOT THE MONSTERS.
Lady in the Water – Played more to Sci-Fi personalities, pretty entertaining and again, as he clearly states in the beginning of the film intro it is the relation of a STORY he heard as a child onto Film. Meaning you can pout and whine all you want but it is a STORY and is not the run and gun, futuristic thriller you wanted.
Last but not least:
The Happening – Morally Abhorent?? Not in the least. It’s a spin on how we as Humans are destroying the planet. Look at the film, The Day the Earth stood Still. Klaatu (Reeves) makes the point that all humans do is destroy things. The Happening is putting this lesson into motion. Sorry that there were no Aliens or Terrorists by the way, not that any of you would understand anyway.
Ever hear theres more to a book than just the cover (trailer) and the ending? Stop tearing up Shyamalan for the stories that he tells, you want to see movies go and watch Die Hard or something, please.
P.S
1.) Kids should not comment on things they do not understand.
2.) What did they teach half of you people in school?
3.) Shamalama – if your friends told you to jump of a cliff with them, would you do that too ? -
I love the Happening. Not that many people understand the specific concept. So if you think it’s ‘some movie where people kill themselves coz of plants’, you’re so so so wrong, my dears.
& yeah I agree with Yem Kahsem. I can’t stand those pointless movies about shooting one another. Psh. Society these days. -
I guess I am in the minority, I finally saw The Happening on DVD and actually liked it. Sure the “cause” of everything was kind of goofy especially since the epidemic had very specific borders. But I liked the suspense of it. I am not thrilled by tons of gore and fancy CGI, you can have it (though this by far is M. Night Shyamalan’s most graphic film). I prefer movies that make you think a little bit.
I was never able to get through Signs, no matter how many times I tried to watch it. I did actually like the Village, even with the “twist” ending. I do agree that Sixth Sense is still his best.
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metsgirl-
Hey, thanks for the dissenting view. I think The Happening is not as ridiculous as the haters say, and not as great as the proponents say. It’s okay. But it does show off Shyamalan’s heavy-handed attempt at drama.
As for the past movies, I like both Signs and The Village, especially the latter. Good tension, nice wrap up.
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