The Sixth Sense

The misconception about this is that it's a horror movie, when it really isn't. It's just a really unique drama with ghosts in it. The objective of the movie is not to scare, but to emotionally captivate you. The mourning aspect still works and this can live on as opposed to just being about a surprise twist. M. Night Shyamalan's vision is amazing and there is such a grand scale feel to the movie that might not have been there with another person behind the camera. more

Cole Sear: You know the accident up there? Lynn Sear: Yeah. Cole Sear: Someone got hurt. Lynn Sear: They did? Cole Sear: A lady. She died. Lynn Sear: Oh my god. What, you can see her? Cole Sear: Yes. Lynn Sear: Where is she? Cole Sear: Standing next to my window. Lynn Sear: Cole, you're scaring me. Cole Sear: They scare me too sometimes. Lynn Sear: They? Cole Sear: Ghosts. The first big hit film from director M. Night Shyamalan. Manages to hold together well, even after knowing where the film is headed, which I credit to Shyamalan's skills as a director. As a writer, he may have hit some damn big bumps, which turned into walls, in years past, but visually, the man does know how to tell a story. It certainly helps that the two main roles are very well played. Child psychiatrist Malcolm Crowe, played by Bruce Willis, is confronted one night by a former patient who he failed to help. After Vincent shoots Crowe in the stomach and kills himself, Crowe can't stop thinking about it. During the next fall, he is now trying to help a troubled boy named Cole Sear, played by Haley Joel Osment, who has many of the same problems Vincent had. Crowe sees a chance to redeem himself, but doubts his ability to reach the boy, particularly when Cole claims to see ghosts. Beyond having supernatural elements, manipulated by some sharp music cues, this is not a horror film. Instead, the premise merely sets the film up as the dramatic character study it really is. Throughout the film, we are constantly shown scenes reflecting two relationships. One is Willis and his wife, played by Olivia Williams, who seems strained by the amount of time he has spent on his career, which is now made worse by the one fateful night. The other is between Cole and his mother, played by Toni Collette, which is portrayed as one of strong bonding, only threatened by not being able to understand a large detail and its purpose. This film would be much more of a downer if it wasn't for the chemistry between Willis and Osment. These two work well together. Willis plays his part very understated. While that Willis twinkle shines through in a few moments, he is largely restrained throughout, playing very soft and effective. Osment is quite good, showing lots of talent in young shoes. As I mentioned, the direction also plays a large part in having this film succeed. There are a number of creative sequences that accomplish a lot in the realm of having moments designed to thrill, while still staying true to character. The way everything is laid out completely for its eventual reveal is also still effective. Its a shame that so much regard for this film is placed upon its ending, because besides having a twist, the film never tries to be one that feels inconsequential up until that point; it's merely a capper to a film that has already succeeding in delivering a solid story. A solid drama...with ghosts. Cole Sear: You ever feel the prickly things on the back of your neck? Malcolm Crowe: Yes. Cole Sear: And the tiny hairs on your arm, you know when they stand up? That's them. When they get mad... it gets cold. more

"I see dead people" Scared the living hell out of me. Haley Joel Osment was perfect in his role, as was Bruce Willis. The twist at the end was the most surprising twist I could imagine. I also liked this film because of it's philosphical connotations with regards to life after death, etc... Winner of my Top Supernatural Films. more

So...the perfect twist? well probably yes, everyone will have commented the same and yes it is a brilliantly genius twist and surprise which you really dont see coming unless you are a clever boy/girl haha With one of the strangest names in Hollywood M. Night Shyamalan springs forth with a huge blockbuster from nowhere and blows away all competition at the time with this very straight laced, actionless slow burning paranormal ghosty tale that both creeps you out and keeps you glued to the screen throughout. Good performances from all and some neat moments without the use of special effects, nothing much exciting happens here, its all just verbal and atmosphere but what atmosphere! M. Night Shyamalan went on to be the 'twist' king of the movies, for afew movies anyway. more

I feel cheated. The Sixth Sense would probably have been one of my favorite movies ever, if I had only seen it back in 1999. But unfortunately I haven't seen it until now, when its plot has become a well known part of pop culture and twist endings have been done to death. Ugh. Oh well. Anyway, it's clear that Shyamalan's mojo was really working during the making of The Sixth Sense. There's a subdued sense of dread threaded throughout the film that is the hallmark of a Shyamalan movie. Well, a GOOD Shyamalan movie. The pacing is perfect, the acting is beautifully done (except at the very end, when the sappiness is slapped on a little thick, in my opinion), and the ghosts are all are genuinely disturbing. And the twist actually makes sense! How many times have you been able to say that about a thriller, lately? Even though I already knew what the conclusion of the movie would be, The Sixth Sense was still very enjoyable. Any other people who haven't seen it because they think that they think that it's been talked about too much to be enjoyed fully....well, you're right. But see it anyway, it is still worth your time! more

"I see dead people..." "The Sixth Sense" is a very sad film. The story unravels slowly but in a very fascinating and exciting way. The film will keep you nailed to your seat and the twists and turns in the end just complete Shyamalan's greatest effort thus far. Haley Joel Osment's performance is one of the best seen on the big screen, by a child actor. Bruce Willis, usually seen in action movies, does one of his best performances of his career as the child psychiatrist. Shyamalans script is very imaginative and he succeeds on keeping the tension on a very high level. In my opinion, this film is one of the best mysteries ever made. In fact, it's kinda hard to categorize the film to any specific genre. Drama, horror, thriller. Mix these together and you'll get "The Sixth Sense". more

Willis puts his action-hero stereotype on the back burner to deliver one of his most intriguing roles since "12 Monkeys."

It's a psychological thriller that actually thrills. more

Writer-director M. Night Shyamalan lets the tension rise slowly, leads you everywhere you don't expect, doesn't rip you off and totally freaks you out -- all without stale effects or gore. more

Teeters on the brink of New Age ludicrousness, but it never goes over: Like Kieslowski and others, Shyamalan knows that what makes for lousy metaphysics can make for powerful metaphor, and in the end he creates a deeply, surprisingly affecting film out of a little bit of smoke and brimstone. more