Preview: The Happening (2008)

• Poster: B-

Review:

A bunch of cars left abandoned on the road. Since we didn't see any such thing in the trailer, it would look to be highlighting a different aspect of the film. However, it's not terribly chilling and reminds me more of Stephen King's "Cell" than it does anything else, which may not be what Shyamalan wants to hear, since he wants his concept to seem original.

• Trailer: C-; C

Review:

Another M. Night Shyamalan joint. Yes, that's usually how Spike Lee refers to his film, but I use the term "joint" here to express how difficult and "affected" I would have to be to enjoy a movie that seems to be entirely about an attack of killer bees.

The discussion of bees was removed from the trailer so, either A) people were correctly guessing the resolution or B) people were wildly overguessing the plot. Considering the path of the previous trailers, I'd say option A is more likely considering Shyamalan wants the audience to be surprised.

Oscar Prospects:

Thankfully, Shyamalan has failed to earn Oscar recognition since The Sixth Sense. His recent product (The Village and Signs) are terrible in their own right and I don't know many people at all who saw Lady in the Water. I imagine this will suffer a similar fate.

Release Date:

• June 13, 2008

Full Review Synopsis:

I have not seen this film.

-Wesley Lovell (February 24, 2008) Original

-Wesley Lovell (May 11, 2008) New Poster; New Trailer