Unbreakable is the second film M. Knight Shyamalan directed, produced, wrote, and acted in. Bruce Willis stars as the hero who discovers he's literally unbreakable after a train wreck kills everyone except him. Samuel L. Jackson plays his opposite and nemesis, a man who's stricken with a rare disease in which bones break all too easily.
I loved how their stories unfolded over the course of the movie, how Elijah (Samuel L. Jackson's character) is born broken and suffers all through his life with bones like glass. Comics are his only friends and it's through them he comes to the conclusion that if there's someone as breakable as he is, there must be someone who isn't. This leads him to seek out, and find, David Dunn (Bruce Willis' character). How the two interact and what happens after is riveting, from the parts where David explores his ability, to his private life with his son, excellently played by Spencer Treat Clark, and estranged wife, played by Robin Wright (who I will forever picture as Princess Buttercup, but that's another movie...).
I remember when I first watched this film and wishing there was a sequel.
Have you seen Unbreakable? Like M. Knight Shyamalan?
A big thanks to The Armchair Squid for hosting Mock Squid Soup: A Film Society.
It wasn't as good as The Sixth Sense, but it was good follow-up. Too bad he doesn't make movies like this anymore.
ReplyDeleteI agree; his recent movies can't compare. I wonder what happened?
DeleteMy stepson was talking about this movie last week! He has a film class and they watched/discussed this. He thought it was pretty cool :)
ReplyDeleteI liked it a lot.
DeleteI'm a bit ambiguous about most of his films. I am intrigued while I'm watching; I love the clues and can't wait to find out what happens next. But his endings usually leave me feeling deflated. Somehow, they don't live up to my expectations. But the films are entertaining! :)
ReplyDeleteI hear what you're saying. I didn't feel that with his first two films, but I did with his later ones.
DeleteI think I've seen parts of this but never the entire thing. Now that I understand the theme more I think I'll check it out.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely a movie that belongs in the should watch category.
DeleteI thought this film was very good. I loved the premise and the execution.
ReplyDeleteOh, the swimming pool part is one of my worst nightmares. Good movie, but he has really gone weird since, and not in a good way...
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think he lost his mojo or something. I definitely like his earlier films best.
DeleteThe movie has an excellent cast.
ReplyDeleteIt sure does. I especially thought the kid did a great job.
DeleteNot seen this, but maybe I'll check it out. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteIt's really more of a thinking man's superhero movie, imo.
DeleteIt sounds like an interesting movie. To me. Not sure if I can convince Smarticus to watch it, though. Unless there's some good car chases, fist fights, and spiffy explosions... or nudity and laugh-out-loud comedy.
ReplyDeleteIt's got more 'drama' than action, but it's a really good movie. Enough so that I own it.
DeleteI would imagine it takes a truly remarkable talent to continue to churn out product as spectacular as "The Sixth Sense". Once you are pegged as the "twist" guy, how do you keep topping it? His last few outings have been HUGE hits with my now 11 year old...."Last Airbender" and "After Earth"....perhaps he can re-brand himself!
ReplyDeleteI don't know, I expect there are a ton of unsung twisty books that Shyamalan could make into a movie. I for one love those kinds of films. But maybe he didn't want to keep making the same sort of films. I can't blame him. I'd get tired of writing the same type of book.
DeleteI have not seen this movie, but Shyamalan is such a great storyteller that I really want to check it out!
ReplyDeleteHe IS a great storyteller!
DeleteLet me start out by saying, sorry for the pun, but it breaks my heart that there won't be a sequel to this movie. I love this film and think people don't give Shyamalan enough credit. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Nice review.
ReplyDeleteI know, I was hoping for a sequel, too.
DeleteI think Robin Wright is wonderful in this - a beautifully understated performance.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteShe's wonderful in House of Cards, too.
DeleteI saw that one in the theater. I liked it. Since then, Shyamalan has gotten a lot of criticism for his movies, but I'm still fond of them.
ReplyDeleteI'm not as fond of his latest but I did enjoy his earlier movies.
DeleteI did see Unbreakable. I usually like all of Shyamalan's movies!
ReplyDeleteme, too :)
DeleteLoved this movie. The characters were well portrayed, and yes, the story had awesome pacing.
ReplyDelete