Where Knowledge Rules

Entertainment:

Movies

Get a Widget for this title

Movie reviews: The Happening (2008)

attack on central park, explaining that some sort of biological warfare is being used. The toxin first makes the effected individual appear confused and disoriented, then frozen, and finally causes them to kill themselves. The New York area has already been evacuated, and Wahlberg rushes home to his somewhat strange wife Alma, played by Zooey Deschanel. They decide to flee with Elliot's friend, Julian (John Leguizamo) and his daughter Jess(Ashlyn Sanchez). However, the toxin is spreading, and they soon find themselves stuck in the countryside with a band of other lost folks trying to find some sort of safe haven. Julian runs off to find his wife, leaving Jess with Elliot and Alma, who are tense with each other the entire time. Alma keeps receiving phone calls from some guy named Joey, who we are led to believe she is sleeping with, thus causing the problems between the couple. We later find out that they went out for dessert once, and she lied, saying she had to work late. Yes, dessert as in ice cream or something. Elliot is heartbroken, and sadly plays with the mood ring he wears throughout the film. I'm not joking.

After meeting some weird environmentalist couple that explains that they think this is being caused by the plants, not terrorists, our protagonists end up at a creepy house in the middle of nowhere owned by a weird old lady. After she contracts the toxin and offs herself, Alma and Elliot realize that the end is near. So they talk about Elliot's mood ring for about five minutes, then go outside. Where they don't become exposed to the toxin? Then everything is better the next day? Only we find out at the very end (uh-oh, big twist coming!) it's "happening" somewhere on the other side of the world too? And...that's it?

This film really made me both sad and angry, because it had so much potential. The cinematography was done by Tak Fujimoto, who worked with Shyamalan on "Signs" and "The Sixth Sense", as well as doing films like "The Silence of the Lambs" and "The Manchurian Candidate". Needless to say, it was phenomenal. The acts of violence and gore that gave the film its R-rating were also well done. My boyfriend, a huge fan of the Italian horror master Dario Argento, leaned over at one point and told me that a lot of it reminded him of an Argento film. Even the basic concept of the story was very well thought out. Upon doing some research, I learned that plants actually do emit pheromones as a means of self-defense, as they supposedly do in the film.


Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

Movie reviews: The Happening (2008)

  • 1 of 28

    by Amy Cradock

    The Happening, don't believe the hype, nothing happened really.'

    The Happening' written and directed by M Night Shymalan

    read more

  • 2 of 28

    by The Film Blogger

    M. Night Shyamalan's film career thus far is as erratic as any working filmmaker in Hollywood today his first three features,

    read more

  • 3 of 28

    by Jeremy Peters

    As an avid supporter of M. Night Shyamalan and his films, I must say "The Happening" is by far the biggest disappointment

    read more

  • 4 of 28

    by Sarah Huth

    As a current film maker, cinema student, and movie enthusiast, I have to say that "The Happening" is nothing more than a

    read more

  • 5 of 28

    by Art Skimpole

    If "The Happening" is serious, it is a shame. If it is not, then it is a crime. M. Night Shyamalan's cinematic ouvre features

    read more

View All Articles on:
Movie reviews: The Happening (2008)

Add your voice

Know something about Movie reviews: The Happening (2008)?
We want to hear your view. Write_penWrite now!

Helium Debate

Cast your vote!

Will Zeitgeist, the movie, decrease belief in Christian Churches?

Click for your side.

173917

Featured Partner

Takes All Types

Takes All Types has partnered with Helium, giving you the chance to write for a cause. Browse Takes All Types' f...more

What is Helium? | Buy Web Content | Contact Us | Privacy | User agreement | DMCA | User Tools | Help | Community | Helium’s Official Blog | Link to Helium

Helium, Inc.
200 Brickstone Square Andover, MA 01810 USA