Cautious optimism is the phrase here. This looks good. This looks like a solid and visually creative piece of big-budget science-fiction. Will Smith generally doesn't make awful movies. Jaden Smith held his own three years ago against an Oscar-worthy Jackie Chan in The Karate Kid. And M. Night Shyamalan? Well, one can only hope that this seemingly work-for-hire project allow him to find his groove again, especially with Will Smith in the producer's chair able and willing to tell him "no". I know I say this a lot, but I still believe in M. Night Shyamalan. The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable are two of the best films of the last fifteen years. Signs is top-notch popcorn entertainment and even The Village and Lady in the Water have things worth noting (potent political subtexts and a powerful musical score in the former, a haunting Paul Giamatti performance in the other). But come what may, even if After Earth turns out to be another miss, even if Shayamalan never makes another good movie again, so be it. M. Night Shayamalan made The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable. Nobody can take that away from him. Anyway, After Earth opens on June 7th, in IMAX no less. As always, we'll see.
Scott Mendelson
Scott Mendelson
2 comments:
Interesting how they're doing everything possible to hide the fact that M. Night Shyamalan is the director/co-writer. A sharp contrast to his earlier films, when advertising his name was more important than Bruce Willis' or Mel Gibson's.
Also, interesting how subdued a performance Will Smith is giving seemingly throughout the entire film. Very calm. Different than the gung-ho, in-your-face machismo we usually get.
It looks as thought Will Smith is giving the typical M. Night Shyamalan "you must every word off the page verbatim!" wooden performance that has plagued everything from Signs onward. That's my only hesitance so far.
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