I will admit that, despite his need to include some sort of a twist, M. Night Shymalan is one of my favorite directors. He is the only horror director to try things that are truly different. His latest effort, 'The Village', is not his best, or scariest, but it does offer a few glimpses as to what Shymalan could be capable of. But first he must realize this.
'The Village' is set in a secluded meadow in the middle of a vast forest in the early 1900's. The people here lead a simple life, devoted to maintaining innocence. Lurking in the forests around the village are creatures, or "Those Who We Do Not Speak Of". Apparently, the villagers and creatures have a truce. The villagers do not enter the woods, and the creatures will not enter the town. Red is the bad color, which must be hidden, for it attracts the creatures. Watch towers are placed along the border, as well as torches. When walking along the woods, the safe color must be worn, which apparently eases the creatures into not attacking. But as of lately, the creatures have begun to enter the town for unknown reasons.
The town is run by Edward Walker (William Hurt), and a group of elders. His blind daughter Ivy, is played by Bryce Dallas Howard, and is very good as her first lead. For much of the movie, she is overshadowed by the powerful Joacquin Phoenix, who plays the silent Lucius Hunt. Phoenix's talent simply oozes onto the screen in each of his scenes. But once Howard is allowed to step into her role, she truly becomes the star of the movie. Just knowing that she is blind makes the movie that much scarier. As she enters the woods, the its sounds are amplified, as if her other senses are tuned. The results are nerve-racking, and at times, terrifying.
If there is one thing Shymalan can do well, it is atmosphere, and this movie has plenty of it. Unfortunately, what could have been a masterful conclusion became muddled down in his need for a twist. This twist was not nearly as surprising as his previous movies, and to be honest, it almost felt like a slap in the face. Fortunately, it does not ruin the entire movie, and it is quite spooky. I would like to see Shymalan make one more creature film, because the designs are slightly creepy, but their violence is far more intriguing. I would then want him to make a movie in the vein of Silence of the Lambs, something that will scare the viewer with something that actually exists. If he can do this, he'll be one of the very best horror directors ever.