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Unbreakable (Vista Series)

Unbreakable (Vista Series)

List Price: $19.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: 3 1/2 stars? How could 607 people be so wrong?
Review: While this movie is undoubtedly not the Sixth Sense, it's not supposed to be. In almost a completely different genre, Unbreakable focuses more on the dramatic than the suspenseful, and tell and an original and creative story in a compelling way. While the movie is slower than most, that's exactly the reason it succeeds in my mind. While most moviemakers would face the reality that moviegoers now EXPECT unbelieveable chase scenes, explosions, and impossible special effects, Shyamalan thankfully keeps the pace of the film consistent and eerily placid, providing the viewer with an uncommon viewing experience.

For those who didn't like it, I think it's only because they didn't have a slot to put it in. If you in a chill mood and have an open mind, this film will not only leave you satisfied, but thinking.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Underrated and unforgettable
Review: When M. Night Shyamalan released Unbreakable, he had quite a bit of hype to live up to. His previous film, The Sixth Sense, was a surprise super smash hit and was even nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award. The story of Unbreakable revolves around David Dunn (Bruce Willis), a lone survivor of a train wreck who emerges completely unharmed. He meets an eccentric comic book collector named Elijah (Samuel L. Jackson) who has a bone disease which causes his bones to break very easily. Elijah has a theory that the world of comic books is a near reflection of our very own world, and that he and David are on the opposite ends of the spectrum. Willis and Jackson give superb performances, and Shyamalan's attention to detail-esque direction electrifies the pace of the film, but the meat and bones of Unbreakable is the way it is written; just as The Sixth Sense was more than a film about ghosts, Unbreakable is more than a film about super heroes. This underlying theme, combined with the twist ending (although I can see how some viewers did not like it at all) make Unbreakable a superb film on it's own right. All in all, if you can forget about The Sixth Sense phenomena for a little over an hour and a half and really think about this film, you will enjoy it for what it is and isn't.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: For every person that is cursed, one must be blessed...
Review: M. Night Shyamalan's followup to his blockbuster debut The Sixth Sense is regarded by many as a tepid piece at best. While the idea was found to be creepy enough, the speed of the plot was taken to task and cited as the primary spoiler of the experience. Although there is merit to the criticism, Unbreakable should be seen for what it is: a superlative exercise in concept and suspense.

Bruce Willis portrays David Dunn, an aptly named man whose given/surname appropriately reflect the prosaic ordinariness of his staid life; he's just a security guard, no exciting skeletons in his closet whatsoever (it seems). His life takes a more kinetic turn when he is on a train that derails and gains a bit of fame for being the sole survivor of the wreckage. This fact is noticed by the more exotically christened Elijah Price (brought to life by Samuel L. Jackson), a tragic figure who suffers from a congenital condition which renders his skeletal system as brittle as thin crystal. Price is obsessed with comic books and their omnipotent characters because they represent the antithesis of his horrible physical limitations (which were conveyed effectively in a cruel scene where he tumbles down a flight of hard steps, his bones shattering like dropped china). He has another obsession as well: he wants to locate a real superhero, for he believes at least one demigod walks among the human race. He becomes convinced that Dunn is the one, and he wants this Clark Kent to find his inner Son-Of-Jor-El; Dunn naturally wants to ground such a flight of fancy, and he has a problem when his son- who also believes he's a derivative of DC magic- wants to test the hypothesis by shooting him (another powerful moment). So...who's right? Price; Dunn? The conclusion is sinister in its revelations.

One thing which must be understood about Unbreakable is that it is essentially a film-school project blown up to multiplex-ready proportions. The dark, somber tone is never ameliorated; the narrative maintains a consistent depressive feel at home in a budding Spielberg's thesis. This is most likely what initiated the tentative reception; but the approach actually works, because the crucial elements of the story are allowed to become the focal point for the viewer, as opposed to becoming lost and diluted by an irresistable need to increase the commercial quotient. Shyamalan keeps any idiosyncratic histronics at bay with the actors, a predeliction which has become his trademark; this also functions as a sterilizing agent, ensuring the purity of the drama by neutralizing any contaminating Hollywood habits. The primary directive of the piece is wish fulfillment, a desire to take the phrase "science fiction" and truncate the latter term, to convert fantasy into reality, to make the dreams of a child as tangible and reproducible as a chemistry experiment; to be certain, that has happened before, the successful voyage to the moon representing a single example. But we're probably not destined to land on every moon; nevertheless, Shyamalan crafted an engaging tale of one handicapped man's epic quest to touch down on his own personal Sea Of Tranquility.

Unbreakable is not a perfect film; indeed, there are one or two lapses in logic. Still, it is worth a viewing. One last note: it surpasses the attempts of Signs at allegorical fable-creation.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Uneven But Unique
Review: After the overrated yet average "The Sixth Sense", Shyamalan presented another intriguing and different piece of cinema with this peculiar movie that gives a new perspective into superheroes` conventions. Bruce Willis returns for the role of the quiet, laid-back lead and shares the screen with Samuel L. Jackson`s enigmatic presence. Like the "Sixth Sense", "Unbreakable" also tells a mysterious slow paced story where and adult man has deep connections with a kid, but this time the plot is more interesting and original. The direction is terrific and certainly helps to create an absorbing and gripping mood and atmosphere, even if some scenes are too slow and unengaging. The score is adequate as well, as is the convincing and subtle acting. However, some energy wouldn`t hurt this movie, since it has few dynamic scenes given the overall slow rythm. And the ending is a bit anti-climatic and disappointing too, even if it provides a strange surprise. Still, for the most part "Unbreakable" works pretty well and suceeds as a very well-crafted and unusual story worth discovering. It`s also refreshing to watch a superhero that`s so distant from most of the cliches that are common within the genre.

Not a classic, just a good effort.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: An Underated film
Review: Comparing The Sixth Sense to Unbreakable, and this is a fair thing to do as they share several plot and thematic ideas, finds Unbreakable being a sombre but ulitimately positive and affirming film.

There is considerable restraint in the acting with good use of body language and facial expression to a somewhat gritty to mildly surreal series of events. Bruce Willis plays a haunted, sole survivor of a train wreck. His character is bewildered and unsure of himself. This has been noted in other reviews but the road to understanding who and what he is drives the film.

Samuel Jackson's character is nicely set up through scenes of his birth and childhood. His character is a mystery, at once authoritative but physically fragile. As a man he is detatched and difficult to like although he commands interest. His life also reveals itself by the end of the film.

In general Unbreakable is about connections, paralells and contrast. It's dark and brooding look fits the story well. It is a slow paced film with a surprise ending that works and explains details of how the story came to develop. The film is quiet as well which also helps focus on the self descovery theme.

The acting is very good, Jackson has a knack for playing unique roles in big budget and modest films as well. For a leading man figure it is refreshing to see him shift to a character actor type of role where he can stretch his acting skills.

The shared items with The Sixth Sense are in the surprise ending, road to discovery themes, timeless sense and a host of smaller ideas that make both films similar except for their endings although both deal with coming to terms and being ready.

Since The Sixth Sense was such a success impossibly high expectations were made of Unbreakable, expectations that couldn't be lived up to due to the subject matter and concept of it's plot and characters. It strikes me that I've used the word character(s) quite a bit. Probably because they are interesting to watch develop.

The pace to Unbreakable is slow but not to the point of boring. Events unfold and mysteries develop. To a film audience that expects special effects and loud bangs every five minutes this is not a good DVD for you. If you enjoy films that can be viewed many times to pick up on elements missed the first go around then you'll probably enjoy Unbreakable.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of the best films of our time
Review: Underrated, in a word, is M. Night Shymalan's 3rd film. His first was a little-known film, the 2nd made big with Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment (The Sixth Sense), and this one reunites Shymalan and Willis, along with another screen legend, Samuel L. Jackson. It tells a strange superhero story, of David Dunn (Willis) who has extroardinary powers---he is the one and only survivor of a freak train wreck accident. Elijah (Jackson) is the complete opposite of him----he was born with all the bones broken in his body, somehow. And the plot is how Elijah tries to make Dunn believe that Dunn has superheroic powers.

James Newton Howard's score only accelerates the movie into high-gear. Comic book fans loved it, as I did, because of Elijah's museum of comic book art, and his massive collection. To keep Elijah going as a child, his mother awarded him a comic book every time he walked around.

The Vista Series DVD is a true milestone of DVD. Boasting pinnacle sound with DTS and Dolby 5.1 tracks, as well as superior picture quality of 2.35:1, Shymalan also delivers with superb special features. Well worth a buy, critics slammed Shymalan's epic, thinking it was gonna be another Sixth Sense.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: ...THEY CALLED ME MR. GLASS...
Review: This is definetely better than the sixth sense but not as good as M. Night Shyamalan's most recent film Signs which is awesome. But I found this movie awesome and the part that is just awesome is when He goes down to the place where people and that music where the drums are playing an awesome beat starts. This movie is great so rent it first then buy it. (If this is useful to you I also have a review for Signs where I give it 5 stars, the review is called IT'S HAPENNING.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Better than The Sixth Sense!!
Review: David Dunn ( Bruce Willis) is the sole survivor of a massive train wreck, and does not even suffer a single scratch. Elajah Price ( Samuel L Jackson)has a condition that leaves his bones extremely vulnerable to breaking and develops the nickname "Mr. Glass". He is also a comic book specialist. His theory is that comic book heroes walk the earth, and due to the recent events, Elajah suspects that David is one of them. The theory is based on the spectrum of life. At one end is Elajah who is incredibly weak and extremely vulnerable. At the other end is someone who is extremely strong and invulnerable. At first David refuses to believe. But Elajah soon convinces David to look into his past. David soon discovers that he has never been sick, never been injured, has exceptional strength, and possesses a unique gift that others don't....

M. Night Shyamalan made one of the most popular horror films in history with "The Sixth Sense". But in my opinion, "Unbreakable" is his best film and extremely underrated. While people often criticize this film for being too slow, and hard to understand, it still continues to be one of my favorite films. The fact that the films move slowly, is what gives the film its brilliance. The events unfold at a pace that really lets you soak in the story and what the characters are going through. The story succeeds on five different levels. The first being the trouble with David's job as a security guard and his fight to find his place in the world. The second is the trouble with his marriage, and David's relationship with his wife Audrey ( Robin Wright Penn).The third is the endless need to proove Elajah's theory wrong. The fourth is with David's son Joseph ( Spencer Treat Clark) and how he thinks his dad is a hero. The fifth being what David does with his life, after he finds the truth. All of these aspects are blended together beautifully to create a well rounded story. M. Night Shyamalan is also known for his endings. The ending to "Unbreakable" will blow you away and is extremely shocking! Bruce Willis, Samuel L Jackson, Spencer Treat Clark, and Robin Wright Penn are all spectacular in their roles. Each bring an important part to the story and are equally captivating. Finally, the camera work, set designs, and use of color are amazing, and really bring the story to life.

The VISTA SERIES DVD however, might be the thing of all. The extras are out of this world. They really let you see the film in a whole new light. You get additional scenes, a behind the scenes documentary, and much much more. This is definately a must own

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Best Film of 2000
Review: Unbreakable is an incredible work. The directing and writing are perfect, the acting is incredible, and the score is excellent. Night surpasses The Sixth Sense with this brilliant work. I would agree that the twist isn't as shocking as that of the Sixth Sense, but the rest of the story is so intergrated, and crafted that the twist still works. The style in the film is incredible. There is no standard shot, every thing is original, with nice camera movement and framing. It's a must for any comic book fan, as well as any fan of good acting. Bruce Willis is restrained, but still shows his emotions. Samuel L. Jackson is a commanding screen presence. It's not an effects movie, it's a human film, and it works.

The DVD has a great transfer, and great sound. The extras aren't that good, but suffice. The comic book documentary is great, especially the interview with Dave Gibbons from Watchmen. Most of the deleted scenes are best left on the floor, but the one with the priest should have been left in. It was an incredible scene. Overall, a great film with a solid DVD.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Doesn't resist comparison with "Sixth Sense"
Review: This is a quite good film which I am not sure of giving it 3 or 4 stars. It's quite simple.

The film itself is good (so it deserves 4 stars) but the comparison with "Sixth Sense" is irresistible, and then "Unbreakable" clearly looses the game. I will try to make my review not taking into account the "prequel"...

"Unbreakable" has good some great moments, mainly in the first part of the film. The scene into the train with Willis (David Dunn) talking to the girl close to him is memorable, as some dialogs with his wife (almost ex-wife).

The discovering of Willis' great powers with the aid of Jackson's (Elijah Price) knowledge of the world of comics is somewhat confusing, but the way we start to "know things" is correct. However, the scene of the son pointing his father with a gun is absolutely insignificant and out of context.

The real good thing is to see Willis and Jackson far from "what-they-used-to-do" in late 80's.

I was given advice of the absurdity of the end, but I don't think it's absurd, naïve or even stupid. In fact, it's even logical but the way the information is given in the last few minutes is overwhelming, reduces its credibility.

All in all, it's a film that I recommend you, even more if you haven't seen "Sixth Sense"...


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