It is hard to give a review of this film that doesn't either sound too positive or too negative. The fact is, this is a hard film to critique period. I would like to tell you that will enjoy this film, that Shyamalan's efforts to surprise you in the end will succeed. That the story will leave you stunned like it says on the DvD jacket. But I can't. Shyamalan's efforts to try to lure you in to a sense of false security and then spring that jaw dropping surprise not only fail, but is starting to become a gimmick for him. It fact, it is the gimmick that ruins this movie.

It's sad too. There is a lot in this movie of exceptional merit. The acting by veterans Signorey Weaver, William Hurt are on mark and make you believe that somewhere a group of people started a Quakeresk type village that thrives on a sense of brotherhood and care for the simple things of life. Here they coexist in a type of harmonic tranquillity with the only shadow being of creatures that lurk in the wood, "those that will not be named". Due to the woods being habited by these creatures, it makes any journey into the "towns" quite impossible. The villagers try to maintain a truce with these nameless ones by avoiding the color red, which somehow attracts them, and not crossing the boundaries of their village.

The score is excellent, moody, using violins and cellos. I would almost buy the soundtrack. The photography is drop dead gorgeous, with attention to detail and use of space and frame that make you feel you are watching a moving Andrew Wyeth painting. On those factors alone I would almost recommend watching the movie just for the artistic vision alone.

I could also tell you that you need to watch newcomer Bryce Dallas Howard for her performance as the blind village girl that musters the courage to cross the boundaries to go into the towns. Ms. Howard is the daughter of Ron Howard, and yes, you will see much more of her in the future. She a talent that will be and has been recognized due to her role in this film.

I could tell you on these merits alone, the movie is worth it. But I can't.

You see Shyamalan has painted himself into a corner relying on his twist ending gimmick. It worked well in the Sixth Sense, it also held up under Unbreakable. But it was shaky in Signs, and totally predictable in the Village. I actually almost fell asleep twice watching it. This is not a horror movie in the sense the advertisers want you to believe. This is another attempt by Shyamalan to emulate Rod Serling's type of story telling but one thing that Shyamalan forgot, Serling could tell a story like this in half an hour and it would still retain all the meat it needed. Shyamalan tries to take a premise that should be a short story and turn it into a novel.

I still retain abit of respect for Shyamalan. But he hasn't grown. He actually in a way is insulting his audience by underestimating them. He has also defined himself in one particular area of storytelling that has become formulaic and it is hurting him.

Wait for this one on cable, save your money.