Feature Review | Signs
Written by: Kage Alan

Rated: C-    

Director M. Night Shyamalan has quite a bit riding on this film.  His first
feature, "The Sixth Sense", did very well and earned the praise it received
for its unique showcase of solid writing and acting.  His second film,
"Unbreakable", had an extremely thought provoking premise, a real adult
fantasy melding with reality kind of set-up, but was hampered with incredibly
sluggish pacing.  Now we have "Signs".  In many ways, this film is an
improvement over the previous one and Shyamalan doesn't make all the same
mistakes.  Instead, he makes new ones.

Graham Hess (Mel Gibson, "We Were Soldiers") tragically lost his wife and
faith six months ago and consequently left the church and his position there
as Father.  All of his attention became focused on his young children, Morgan
(Rory Culkin, "You Can Count On Me") and Bo (Abigail Breslin), and helping
him out in this time of need is his younger brother, Merrill (Joaquin
Phoenix, "Gladiator").  They lead a pretty peaceful existence together on a
farm just outside of Philadelphia, but when they start having troubled dreams
and wake up to discover a strange symbol carved out in the middle of their
cornfield, life takes another drastic turn.

The night after the discovery of the symbol, Graham and Merrill chase an
incredibly fast and seemingly invisible intruder from the farmhouse.  The
local police officer (Cherry Jones, "The Perfect Storm") suspects either
someone local or possibly someone passing through trying to cause trouble,
which almost adds up.  However, when other similar symbols are detected all
over the world along with lights in the sky and an obvious extraterrestrial
presence, it can only mean one of two things; the aliens have come either in
peace or are here to invade.  Which is it?

The first hour of "Signs" is so wonderfully written with just enough
intelligent tension and bits of humor and combined with outstanding
performances by the cast that it's easy to look past the holes in the plot.  
Unfortunately, after that first hour and after it's obvious that the alien
presence is no hoax, the film quickly comes crashing down, slows down and
begins to borrow from other films for inspiration (like "War of the Worlds"
and "The Blair Witch Project") instead of keeping its own unique identity.

As much as I hate to say it, when it comes to alien invasions, leave that
sort of thing to either James Cameron or Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich.  We have a pretty good idea that the military would react to any kind of alien ships appearing in our skies, but here they do nothing and residents are left to fend for themselves against beings who can't even break down a wooden cellar door or out of a wood pantry.  The aliens' motivations are relayed through a book Graham's children are reading and alien activity is detected using a one-way baby walkie-talkie.  Furthermore, Graham makes no effort to arm himself or his family against the possible threat, even when he sees what they're up against firsthand.

There are a number of times the extraterrestrial plot becomes secondary to
that of the family unit and this is where "Signs" works the best.  If it had
turned out to be a hoax, the film would have been that much stronger because
of its emphasis on family, but the inclusion of such a sci-fi element in the
hands of a directory out of his league in that genre makes the entire movie
collapse like a house of cards.  The obvious age difference between Gibson
and Phoenix as brothers left me scratching my head as well.  If not for their
performances, it would have been a bigger sticking point for me.

The end of the film will also have people wondering just what to make of it.  
There are subtle hints relayed throughout as to what the outcomes could be,
but we're hit over the head so many times in the last 15 minutes with what
the director felt he wanted the overriding theme of the movie to be that it
takes away from what we should be left with at the conclusion.  Does the film
ultimately work?  Not really.  Despite a near perfect first hour, it just
didn't live up to the expectations it sets for itself and it could have been
a masterpiece.  I was absolutely glued to the screen for the first half of
"Signs", then looking for where my bag of popcorn disappeared to for the
second half.

COMMENTS:
Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 19 2002 / 10:29:18
IP Address:  68.45.28.142
name = P Diddy
Subject = HOW?
Comments = How on earth could you have possibly seen this movie already??  They wont even let Roger Ebert see it!

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 19 2002 / 13:30:44
IP Address:  68.8.115.71
e-mail = I_am_you20@hotmail.com
name = Polarbum
Subject = Duh
comments = Well obviously this reviewer is none other than God himself!

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 19 2002 / 13:46:56
IP Address:  207.208.240.250
name = Voyeur
e-mail = unlisted
Subject  = That's How
comments = Now we know WHY they won't let Ebert see it!

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 19 2002 / 16:56:26
IP Address:  64.105.36.240
name = iggy
where = ltsering@msn.com
Subject = it's already online
comments = the film has already been pirated on the net

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 19 2002 / 21:55:52
IP Address:  142.179.135.192
name = Alfonse Ribiero
where = spoon!
Subject = Well, it was okay
comments = I personally thought it was a very interesting film, the cinematography was amazing, the sound design was brilliant, the aliens weren't overused, but in the end, it was ultimately unfulfilling, because the ending was much too sudden and a little predictable. Its possible that the studio made him change the ending, as they did with unbreakable.

Plot spoiler Warning Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 20 2002 / 23:22:36
IP Address:  66.38.0.15
name = SMiLEY
where = smiley@notd.net
Subject = Agreed
comments = This review hits the nail on the head. Why did the aliens suddenly leave? "People must have figured out a way to beat them." Oh, well that clears it up. I guess it wouldn't be to hard at all to beat some aliens who couldn't even break down a door. Haven't they seen cops?

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 22 2002 / 11:58:07
IP Address:  200.27.112.195
name = Bubba McGillicutty
Subject = its been out since last week
comments = and the ending is so bad I wouldnt reccomend it to anyone. definitely not worth the cash at the theatre.

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 22 2002 / 16:23:16
IP Address:  12.248.248.53
name = Mezz
where = machiko@inhell.com
Subject = This review is a FAKE
comments = It's a HOAX review. The movie is nothing like what this person college film school drop out reviewee said. I thinkt here should be a law (despite this is a fake review) where critics need to have made ONE successful film, to be allowed to review films. Because these nobodies couldn't do better or they would. They just are biased and shallow. Half these people especially this reviewer knows nothing about movies. Reviews good films as bad and gives movies like that britnney spears one 3 stars. Did some checking on Kage Alan, didn't even graduate highschool and works at Best Buy as a manager (day job) writes bad reviews and hoax reviews (like this one for signs) for fun. Trust me, this guy DID NOT see the movie. He slapped together the what if message board posts on another site.
Editor's Reply: As long as there is no racism or extreme profanity, we post all comments ( even like this one).  However...this person got off the wrong side of the bed. First of all, Kage Alan, never reviewed any "britnney spears" movies. The rest follows suit.

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 22 2002 / 16:50:47
IP Address:  81.29.36.183
name = Jedipir8
where = iabpd@hotmail.com
Subject = IT was GREAT!!
comments = I saw it, and man was it a scary a*s film! The first half was good, but the last half was great. My girlfriend said Aliens aren't scary" before we saw it, afterwards she changed her tune. Don't listen to this guy!

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 22 2002 / 17:26:07
IP Address:  12.249.216.108
name = jedimasteryodafan
where = masteryodacat@yahoo.com
Subject = The reason people (including myself) have already seen this movie!!!
comments = Well, I just saw the movie and no it hasn't been released yet and no I don't know God. I do know where to download movies before they are released, however.
The movie is slow, very slow, but it's like a puzzle that fits together very neatly at the end. The FIRST HOUR is the WORST and the last thirty minutes are the best.
And, if you don't believe I've seen this movie, email me and I'll damn sure tell you the ending!!!
p.s. they're aren't a lot of aliens in this movie and there isn't much action either. It's maily one of those "thought provoking" movies.

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 23 2002 / 00:16:33
IP Address:  216.164.192.82
name = Blunts
where = who@what.com
Subject = Are you people really that stupid
comments = First i'd like to say discussing pirated movies here is very lame and stupid.  If thats how you watched it Fine.  Keep it to yourself.  Now about the movie I agree with most other people that the first half of the movie is very good.  But after that there is this buildup that leads you to believe you will see another shocking ending like his other films but this just isn't the case. I enjoyed the movie overall but the ending needed a little work.
p.s. Make this comments text box bigger :)
Editor's tech note: Your wish is my commend! Bigger box....

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 23 2002 / 11:58:53
IP Address:  128.197.170.108
name = Scott
where = not@available.net
Subject = Meh
comments = Great review and pretty much on-point. The pacing is fine if a bit slow, but the aliens should have never been shown, it would have added a lot to the film rather than have someone in a bad X-Files costume shown. The ending was a bit of a letdown simply due to the fact that half of your questions are completely unanswered, almost as if the screenplay wasn't finished. 2 out of 5.

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 23 2002 / 05:11:22
IP Address:  62.155.182.235
name = Pawel
where = blub@bla.com
Subject = Hitchcock is back!!!
comments = Please do not relay on what these people say. I just saw "Signs" at a press screening in Europe...and i just have no words to describe how much i liked it. The first hour is fantastic and amazing, and then it changes and becomes more brilliant. It becomes very fast and scary. The whole style is very, very hitchcock-like. As much hitchcock i've ever seen in any other movie then from Alfred himself. So, if you liked "Psycho", "Birds" and the two shyamalan-films, please go, watch and just enjoy it. I promise you will!

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 25 2002 / 23:49:28
IP Address:  210.186.0.149
name = Slobboy
where = slobboy@boy.com
Subject = Signs review...caught this on Malaysian VCD
comments = I live in Malaysia, and if you've heard how rampant piracy is in Asian countries..you'd better believe that I've seen Signs.
Here's my take on the movie:-
I agree with all the reviewer's points in general. But one cannot deny that Shyamalan is a master of suspense, even if his script in Signs needs work. That's why he's no Hitchcock...
It's not 'brilliant' as someone mentioned, because there far too many plot holes and coincidences for comfort...but on a pure enjoyment level..it works

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 26 2002 / 13:57:06
IP Address:  192.195.234.26
name = General TSO
where = staustin@tayloru.edu
Subject = signs
comments = Thanks for the comments.  I will pay my money to watch it myself and probably have a different spin when it is all said and done.  I hope we all can agree that the film world is a much better with a young and creative director like M. Night Shyamalan around.  Yes, he will probably make some mediocre films that let the nerds of the world down.  However, creativity is about exploration, not perfection.  Look at the rest of the film world, with exception we are fed a lot on non-creative crap.  If this film is mediocre, at least we can appreciate the director not just aiming for our pocketbooks.

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 26 2002 / 18:04:42
IP Address:  64.229.236.158
name = David Coscina
where = dcoscina@sympatico.ca
Subject = Signs is great
comments = "Signs" much like "Unbreakable" is less about the obvious premise and more about a deeper meaning.  With "Unbreakable" it was self-definition and self actualization, using comics and super powers as the metaphor.  Similarly, "Signs" is less about alien invasions than it is about fatalism vs. determinism.  Personally, I think it's not quite as focussed a story as Night's previous 2 films, but nonetheless, it is SOLID filmmaking and, for me, had an ending much more viscerally satisfying than "Unbreakable" or "Sixth Sense".  Yes, it flies in the face of everything Night's movies ascribe to (an aversion to the obvious), but it was nice to see a real kick butt scene, impeccably scored by James Newton Howard.
I too scratched my head a little at the very ending, but I believe the film builds to a great climax and is certainly worth seeing in the theatre. Lots of great humour throughout as well which was pleasantly surprising.  I haven't laughed this much watching a film in ages. 4/5

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 27 2002 / 16:40:47
IP Address:  216.179.4.4
name = Danialla Rahl
comments = I saw it, and it's not that bad. Sure, I've seen better. But it's not as bad as Kage Allen makes it seem.

Date: Monday, July 29, 2002
Time: 1:52 PM EST
Subject: Feedback
name: Naudikom
email: naudikom@hotmail.com
comments: Just wanted to let you know I stopped reading your "Signs" review right around the time you mentioned Sixth Sense as Shyamalan's first feature.  Do your homework.  I read a few sentences farther, but just felt like it was being written by some fourteen year old girl.

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 28 2002 / 15:48:02
IP Address:  67.201.26.64
name = Tetsuo Shima
where = datrus@msn.com
Subject = Hahah...stupid reviewer
comments = Yeah, the reviewer's comments are retarted. He just doesn't like it because it has to do with someone gaining their faith in God again and stuff. No people....listen....overall...this movie is one of the best movies I've ever seen. It's powerful, the music is excellent, the characters, including Mel Gibson, are very loveable, and realistic. DUH! .... the plot is SUPPOSED to leave you questioned. That's what the producer wanted...it's a style of filming. To make people...like YOU...think. You just wish every movie was spoonfed to you, don't ya?....well let me tell you buddy.....I aint gonna take any more crappy reviews. This movie is AWESOME people.
And don't let any other reviewer try to convince you otherwise. ALL reviewers...will ONLY give triple A comments on a movie...that is as simple as Barney....and has 23423423 cuss words in it. That's the secret. The more screwed up the movie is...the higher the rating.
Take truman show for example....terrible .... TERRIBLE reviews for such a beautiful movie. God  wish I could kill everyone of you reviewers....so get a real job working in the sewer ****....which is what you all are!

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 28 2002 / 06:55:36
IP Address:  216.68.37.213
name = *****duck
where = pooop@gloop.com
Subject = Schmalamadingdong
comments = His films are pure ****.  **** Signs. It sucks. **** and **** like Chuck and buck.

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 30 2002 / 19:17:40
IP Address:  65.25.146.28
name = Marla Jameson
where = marla_j_22@yahoo.com
Subject = Blah
comments = If you're going to make a religious propaganda movie, at least make it interesting, like The Seventh Sign. this was just a snoozarama. Shyamalan has bought into the hype and the BS that he and The Sixth Sense are brilliant. They are not.

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 30 2002 / 01:47:08
IP Address:  62.163.72.252
name = Wolf
where = Wolf@thefellowship.nl
Subject = Just replying
comments = Everybody is entitled to their own oppinion. Some people like a movie, others hate it. Its the whole idea of a review is it not? To let the people know what YOU thought about it?.. Could be me ofcourse. Lots of people hated or were disgusted at Resident Evil, while I actualy enjoyed it.. Tastes are different for everyone... I havent seen signs yet, I will eventualy.. so I cant argue about this review.

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 30 2002 / 19:45:59
IP Address:  66.79.93.216
name = m night
where = aaronevans@hotmail.com
Subject = i saw this movie today
comments = this movie sucked.  don't waste your money.  m night continues to drop off since the sixth sense.  the ending makes no sense whatsoever.  when the credits began to scroll i asked myself if the reel had skipped the final 10 minutes or was that the actual ending.  Don't see.

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 31 2002 / 05:45:27
IP Address:  65.58.146.158
name = Jibby Jab
Subject = this review
comments = I'm a bit annoyed that this reviewer has chosen to tell us so much about the film (particularly whether the alien invasion is a hoax) -- thanks a lot, Kage. Also, the homage to Hitchcock's "The Birds" seems lost on him.

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 31 2002 / 08:58:01
IP Address:  204.99.250.45
name = steve
where = sakcigar.com
Subject = signs
comments = I went to a private screening of this "movie" last night and when I left, I said "so"?  If anyone other than the guy that did Sixth Sense brought this to a studio, they would have laughed him out of the office.  The movie had potential that it never displayed and I think that the trailer is ten times better than the alledged movie!

Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 31 2002 / 09:02:58
IP Address:  204.99.250.45
name = sakcigar
where = sakcigar@aol.com
replyemail = yuucch
comments = I never thought of asking for my money back before, but I would have made an exception in this case, but the screening was free.
Ranks up there with a truly bad made for TV movie

Plot spoiler Warning! Date/Time of Posting:  Jul 31 2002 / 15:46:12
IP Address:  66.108.254.96
name = Wiz
where = theamazin@aol.com
Subject = Signs
comments = Saw SIGNS last night at a screening in NYC. Here are a few questions for anyone who actually enjoyed this mess.   1) How come Aliens with technology to invade our world can not open locked doors?  2) Why would Aliens with interplanetery navigational skills need crop circles to find landing spots?  3) How come Mel doesn't arm himself with a firearm of some sort to protect his family after he knows the aliens are out there?  4) How come the Alien just stands there making clicking sounds?  And last but not least... 5)  I ask again... HOW COME THESE ALIENS CAN'T GET THROUGH DOORS?  
This movie sucks!
Reply: A thought-provoking movie ain't it?

Date/Time of Posting:  Aug 02 2002 / 19:38:09
IP Address:  68.100.49.243
name = Joey
Email = Iggyjd2003@yahoo.com
comments = OK i can tell you...This movie was GREAT
When you are alone, can you unlock a door from the other side?  If you get lost, can you find your way without some kind of sign or path that you marked?  What if you never HAD a firearm in the first place?  He was a priest for crying out loud!  And maybe cus the alien just WANTED to make clicking sounds?  Why to humans make random farts, why do humans birp?? and I say again, Can you get through a locked door from the other side?  THINK before you SPEAK.
I saw but a few people without a smile on their face walking out of the theatres.  This movie was great, and is one of my top 10 fav movies.  So go see this movie for yourself instead of listening to stupid reviews and stupid people that dont make stupid sense.

Date/Time of Posting:  Aug 02 2002 / 18:07:39
IP Address:  66.32.184.4
name = mike
where = mike236@aol.com
comments = Re: "Feature Review - Signs, Written by: Kage Alan."  Obviously YOU are in "group number 2" if all you can get out of this film is that it is a failed attempt at a sci-fi alien plot.  They actually PAY you to write man???

Date/Time of Posting:  Aug 03 2002 / 00:07:43
IP Address:  138.88.75.12
name = Bill
Email = bill@BillKatz.com
comments = I agree with the reviewer.  Signs is a masterpiece for the first hour.  It had tension and humor.  It kept me on the edge of my seat.  But eventually, the stupid actions of the protagonist and the massive plot holes make it difficult to keep up your suspension of disbelief.  If you chop off an alien's fingers, do you think he'll be hostile if he wasn't before?  If you find an alien in a cupboard, don't you want to call someone like the police & tell them he's there?  If aliens travel through space to confront another race, do they attack in a way that can be thwarted by a toys-r-us super squirt gun and a good lock?  Don't get me wrong.. go see the movie if only for the first half.  But Roger Ebert should be chastised for complaining about 'Reign of Fire' holes & ignoring the massive ones in Signs.

Date/Time of Posting:  Aug 02 2002 / 22:29:50
IP Address:  66.32.113.9
name = zspace
Email = zspace@hotmail.com
Subject = Signs, signs, everywhere, the signs...
comments = If a person goes to the theater to see a film, and sits for two hours trying religously to find everything wrong with the film, they will succeed. A good review comes from an unbiased opinion that has not been pre-determined in the lobby. Weather its a hatred for studio summer blockbuster films, or a crazed narrow-minded obsession for "independent" films, some people would have a hard time seeing a good movie if it reached out from under the door and grabbed them. As a filmmaker, my advice to the young review writer here...try a little harder to appreciate filmmaking for what it is, the work that goes into each stage of the process, and the love/hate relationship that t he fimmaker has for the film, and a little less time trying so hard to be intelligent, witty, and important.
However, I will say this. I do appreciate the fact that you, the writer of this review, are still paying your admission price to the theater to see the films you so utterly detest.
enjoy the show

Date/Time of Posting:  Aug 03 2002 / 02:16:32
IP Address:  63.173.233.108
name = Thomas+Daniel
Subject = Signs
Email = kakarat692001@yahoo.com
comments = This is one of the greatest movies I have ever seen. IF you actually saw it in theaters and didn't download like a f*ckin A**hole you would cringe in your seat while you laughed at how funny the movie was. In my opinion this is one of the scariest, and funniest movies I have ever seen. What the hell was this guy thinking. I honestly think this movie will be considered come Oscar time. Snoogans

Date/Time of Posting:  Aug 04 2002 / 21:16:17
IP Address:  202.81.174.33
name = big jake
comments = >Spielberg is the biggest in the business and not even he says, "Steven Spielberg's 'Minority Report.'"
Yeah, but John Carpenter likes to put his name in the movie title also... like "John Carpenter's The Thing" or "John Carpenter's Ghosts From Mars"
m. night is playing tricks on us viewers, AND IT WORKED -- because it freaked out a lot of us in the audience.
shyamalan knew that what most of us fear the most is the "fear of the unknown" and for the most part, he had us in that state while watching the movie. we saw glipses of those creatures (at first) and know little or nothing about them, but that was enough to scare people... fear of the unknown... but once who saw one revealed in the end, it was a big letdown. it looked patheticand is incapable of defending itself from joaquin's baseball bat (besides, the alien looked fake). we also know that it's afraid of water, has difficulty with pantry doors.
We expected these aliens to be scary, formidable opponents (with their superior technology and superquickness and jumping ability), but we later found out these aliens are pussycats... but didnt the director's character give us these early clues about their weaknesses? he even managed to trap one of them inside the pantry. ;) (it later came back looking for hess for payback after it's fingers got chopped off... LOL)
I thought the film was scary when i first saw it, though.
but when i saw it for the second time... :( I began to notice that the sounds these aliens were making when they were trying to break in to mel gibson's house near the end of the film wasnt as creepy sounding as i first thought. in fact, it sounded a little silly (and funny) to me -- like kids running around and breaking stuff and throwing a tantrum.
but again, the scary effects worked with me the first time i saw it, so no harm done there.
and dont read too much into what the director is "trying to say" in the movie. A thought-provoking movie this aint.

Date/Time of Posting:  Aug 05 2002 / 10:03:44
IP Address:  12.106.197.240
name = jo mama
Email = jomamaisfine@kissmybooty.com
comments = i thought this movie was one of the best movies that i've seen in quite awhile. the acting was great. it was funny, scary and heartwarming. everything a great movie should have. as for the reviewer who reviewed this movie...go watch shakespeare in love again...and let me do the reviews..seriously.

Date/Time of Posting:  Aug 28 2002 / 06:38:28
IP Address:  61.124.33.235
name = jen
comments = EXACTLY! I just wish I had read this review before I saw the sad excuse for a movie.

Date/Time of Posting:  Aug 24 2002 / 02:16:31
IP Address:  68.60.240.62
name = tunicus
comments = And the sign said "long-haired freaky people need not apply".
This movie was just fine.  It's idiotic to question why an alien can't get past a locked door.  Maybe on their planet they find it ridiculous that we can't leak deadly poison from our hands.  For anyone to anthropomorphosize a creature from another galaxy, even if fictional, makes that person sound simple.  Was the ending predictable?  Perhaps... but I still enjoyed watching it unfold.  Oddly, I have lost faith in pretty much everything in real life.  If there is a God, (s)he's 100x sicker than the sickest bastard that has ever walked this earth.  Yet, I had no problem with the moral of this story.  I can't explain why.

Date/Time of Posting:  Sep 03 2002 / 02:55:56
IP Address:  217.42.113.45
Email = valoopy
comments = i saw signs and loved it but the ending was a bit too messed up. i expected more for the master of endings m. night shyamalan.

Date/Time of Posting:  Sep 03 2002 / 12:14:21
IP Address:  207.109.61.129
name = afisher
Email = fishliverlips16@yahoo.com
comments = There is no movie that I have ever seen before that left me in awe like Signs.  It's also the only movie that has stayed good over time for me.  It brilliantly spun horror, humor, thought, and all qualities of good movies so well.  Anyone complaining about the lack of alien development or crop signs needs to understand one thing: that is not what this movie is about - it's just the backdrop.  There are some holes in this movie, but certainly none to cry about or even taint its quality.  I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, and if you have an open mind, so will you.

Date/Time of Posting:  Aug 31 2002 / 01:07:30
IP Address:  202.95.226.3
name = HP55
comments = To those who hated how the aliens were depicted in the film; their powers, weaknesses, how they look, their technology... Come to think of this... if they we're depicted as such eversince those 50's/60's Alien-centric movies, and drawn in books as such... would you still feel disgusted? probably not. That aliens are powerful, intelligent, and everything mysterious... is an effect of what we have absorbed throughout these years. Who would know what a real alien would be like? Spielberg's depiction of aliens in his movies are his. M.Night's is different. Seeing this film, I guess one has to remove that generation-old mindset first, and be open on what could aliens possibly be... and do.

Date/Time of Posting:  Sep 08 2002 / 15:12:02
IP Address:  67.38.245.66
Email = slbaker1607@yahoo.com
comments = After reading all of the comments, it is obvious that some people don't understand about the premise of the movie.  It isn't about an alien invasion.  Like others said, it is merely a backdrop.  This is a story about faith and whether or not things are coincidental or planned.  I thought all of the acting was fantastic and played out very well.  Some seem to get too caught up on how this would have played out in reality.  We weren't given insight into what the military did or did not do in response.  They only said that people had found a primitive weapon against the aliens - which we discovered was water.  However, this was not at all what the movie was about.  It was simply about a man finding his way back to his faith after suffering a horrible trauma.  Why do people feel the need to pick things apart?  Can't any one just enjoy a movie for what it is.  I think Shyamalan did a wonderful job, and personally I put it right up there with Sixth Sense and Unbreakable.  Keep up the good work!  Hey, just my opinion.

Date/Time of Posting:  Sep 17 2002 / 02:41:42
IP Address:  164.164.82.141
name = Sriks
Email = gem16@email.com
comments = The aliens are actually demons in your own head. All of us have these demons that we banish and the events bring them into the open and the journey to faith begins...The film is SUPERB and the cinematography, the light effects, the background score,the editing all add up to the effect. Surely one of the best movies I have seen in the recent times !!!

Date/Time of Posting:  Sep 15 2002 / 21:07:14
IP Address:  200.24.194.68
name = Emilio Gorky
Email = egorky@hotmail.com
comments = that is what the film was about! A man who has lost his faith and how he has recover it. And the suspense with all the aliens was a bonus. Great film, and i think it was superior to sixth sense.

Date/Time of Posting:  Sep 13 2002 / 23:50:41
IP Address:  63.101.129.75
name = Phoenix
Email = evaphoenix66@hotmail.com
comments = This movie was just incredibly STUPID, dont think I cant watch a film without good fx, but Ive seen more realistic aliens in Dexters Lab for crying out loud. I can't believe Mr Night thinks that aliens smart enough to travel through the stars can't have any sort of weaponery o at least teeth or something. I mean we sould want to go to a planet where it rains sulfuric acid and it metls our skin, why in the hell would those stupid aliens want to come here? They might as well have been alergic to air. Why wont they wear protective suits or at least a raincoat? Im having trouble getting over the dissapointment in this movie cause I actualy like SS and unbreakable. But this is just and insult to your mind, I actually felt stupider just for watching it; even ID4 seemed more realistic than this stinking pile of c$rap.

Date/Time of Posting:  Sep 14 2002 / 20:38:36
IP Address:  202.27.176.157
Email = c_pilk@hotmail.com
comments = Tap water wounds the aliens, but humidity in the air does not? Thats kinda strange dont you think?

Date/Time of Posting:  Sep 25 2002 / 22:31:22
IP Address:  66.27.71.190
name = Jet
Email = jetsolo@hotmail.com
comments = OK, FOR ALL THOSE WHO THINK THIS IS REMOTELY CLOSE TO A GOOD MOVIE:::
1.  The movie is one of the most HORRIBLE ones ever.  YOU ALL KNOW IT, dont lie to yourselves so that you dont feel sorry about wasting your money.
2.  Why do aliens INVADE A PLANET WITH 75% water AND STORMS AND HURRICANES, HUMIDITY!.. NO ONE HAS ANSWERED THIS.
(also answer why they need crop circles to navigate..NO SENSE ... they travel that far zillions of miles and they cant find how to get anywhere..LMAO)
3.  Locked doors?.. HELL ANYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO BREAK OR AT LEAST find a tool to break the door!  Very bad PLOT AND UNREALISTIC.
4.  The Alien just LETS hisself get his A$$ wooped by a bat and does nothing but fall on ground and mysteriously the water is left out the little girl..uhh can you say "lame".
5.  If any have you know what a good alien movie is..its like "ID4" now why you say? because it was PRACTICAL, GREAT PLOT, and it made Sence enough and even had humour, action, and suspense.
6.  Verdict.. ::: DONT LIE ABOUT THIS MOVIE:: IT REALLY IS ONE OF THE WORST EVER MADE.  Boring, No Good, Bad PLot, Acting, and YOU ALL KNOW IT.

Date/Time of Posting:  Oct 03 2002 / 15:51:28
IP Address:  212.140.154.106
name = Ash
Email =
comments = In Some Ways i Agree With Some Critics Here, They Shouldn't Just Leave, And Mel gibson Shouldo Of At Least Armed Himself And His Family, he had an axe for god sake, but i do have to say this is one of the best films this year, i agree the first hour was great, and it slowed down a bit toward the end, but you can not keep a film of this topic going forever and its better to end it fast then to keep u goin all night till u fall asleep, the music was great and the tension bulid up levels to Aliens and the 6th sense, its the only film where i have came home scared, with the sound, compelling story, quick jokes and great acting, this is a great film i will go back to watch again, and shouldnt be put down so quickly.

Date/Time of Posting:  Sep 30 2002 / 06:20:03
IP Address:  147.237.73.254
name = orr spivak
where = spivako@bgumail.bgu.ac.il
signs2comments = I agree with the article on all points except one: I don't think Shyamalan is a master of suspense, or that other directors should take notes. His tricks are very simple: he just feeds on the viewers' long training to expect quiet to be followed by a storm. Hence, his movies are full of quiet, and you keep waiting for the storm. This is the key to his suspense, and I hope that other directors will not be influenced into using such a manipulative - and what's worse, such a simple - technique.

Date/Time of Posting:  Nov 02 2002 / 19:17:41
IP Address:  64.192.72.201
name = Rich Frankel
Email = rich11@infoboard.com
comments = What a turkey! So full of holes it's not worth discussing and the Morality Play on top is sophmoronic. I mean even if you think the Sci Fi is just allegory, its transparent stupidity should give you pause about the writer/directors having anything intelligent to say. And the "faith" thing is as full of holes as the Sci Fi. How anyone could see this movie as anything but trash is beyond me.
My theory is that we've already been invaded, sort of like "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (that was a great allegorical movie, no?) and that the people who like "Signs" are really vegetables, and the remaining dwindling few of us had better stick together ;-)