Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Cast: Will Smith and his assorted Children
Good or Bad? Awesome
First, On the director: For some reason, lots of folks decided Mr. Shyamalan wasn’t so hot anymore around 2008, this article sums up the sentiment: http://screenrant.com/m-night-shyamalan-movies-career-sandy-67044/.
One of my favorite lessons in University was when we discussed the ‘baggage’ talent brings onto the set and how it can mess up their ability to tell a story convincingly. Lindsay Lohan is an excellent example of this. When an actor is very popular/makes a spectacle of themselves/becomes harassed by photogs off screen, it draws the focus away from their performances and places it in their public life. As a result, when that actor moves on to new roles, it is difficult for the audience to suspend their disbelief and enjoy the performance on its own. The actor is tightly tied to their off screen persona, whether its true or not.
I think the same has happened to Shyamalan, where critics feel he has become pretty lame, and has been unable to reach his full potential that was promised with The Sixth Sense.
I think this is a bunch of phooey. After Earth tells a good story, is beautifully shot, and makes you love the characters. The special effects aren’t overboard, just the right amount, and the take on the future in the film is believable. The animals are scary.
Also, Will Smith is just awesome, especially in his creaky hard ass dad soldier role. He’s so serious!
My Advice: If you like sci fi and animals, give it a chance.
My Rating: 4 Ursa’s out of 5.
nayanaisthecat 