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much focus was given to the plot than the characters driving it. Instead of investing us in the journey between his lead characters, he fills the canvas with other, more disposable characters that are both intrusive and unbelievable... this is especially true of the mysterious and strange character Mrs. Jones, played by Betty Buckley.

Mark Wahlberg, who plays lead character Elliot Moore, is probably the most sympathetic character - over his flaky wife (Zooey Deschanel) and Jess, the small daughter of his best friend Julian (played by John Leguizamo). Unlike the children in "Sense" and "Signs", Ashley Sanchez who played Jess gets even less face time than she did in ensemble film "Crash".

Familiar child star Spencer Breslin even makes an appearance - but the missed opportunity of his character Josh might make you wonder why.

M Night tackles the subject of nature vs. humanity, but short changes the human side of the story. Sure there are subplots there to explore the relationships between the main characters, but they're given lip service only. Gone is the warmth he displayed with Cole and his mom in "Sense" and Reverend Graham and his entire family in "Signs".

But it is the conclusion, and I use that word very loosely, that will lose the audience. Today's sophisticated, and one could even say, Shyamalan-wise audience wouldn't buy the conventions of Alfred Hitchcock from a filmmaker with M. Night's reputation.

So if you go to this movie, go aware. If you're going for the "what" and the "why" and want an explanation you can buy...

It ain't "happening".

Learn more about this author, Ginger Voight.
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