The Sixth Sense (1999)
Not every gift is a blessing
Starring: Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, Olivia Williams, Mischa Barton, Donnie Wahlberg, Peter Anthony Tambakis, Jeffrey Zubernis, Bruce Norris, Glenn Fitzgerald, Greg Wood, Trevor Morgan, Angelica Torn
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Running Time: 103 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: 15
Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
On DVD Nine-year-old Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment) is a bit odd. He wears specs without any lenses in them. He sleeps underneath a makeshift tent in his bedroom. In school, he draws pictures of people being stabbed in the neck with screwdrivers. Oh yeah - and he sees dead people. Literally.
Sounds like a case, if ever there was one, for award-winning child psychologist Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis). Crowe looks like the best bet Cole has of exercising his chilling brand of demons - but, as gradually becomes apparent, the good doctor has a few issues of his own to deal with.
There's not really a lot you can say about the plot of 'The Sixth Sense' without giving too much away to the first-time viewer. Upon its original release, this movie set tongues wagging as a result of its mind-blowing twist - which, if you know what to look out for, can actually be seen coming a million miles off. To that end, it's in many ways a much more fascinating experience the second or third time round.
This is a dark, eerie tale, but for all its ghostly subject matter it's more likely to stick with you for its psychological effect than any instances of outright horror. Osment's face is normally enough to give this reviewer the heebie-jeebies at the best of times, so in an environment as spooky as the one created here by M. Night Shyamalan, he's the perfect choice. Willis, meanwhile, produces a performance similar to that in another Shymalan flick, 'Unbreakable'. It's easy to see him as someone of limited acting ability, but these are just two examples of him proving otherwise.
'The Sixth Sense' certainly isn't perfect. Despite a section in the DVD extras crowing about how meticulously various "rules" were applied, there are undoubtedly plot holes to be found. What's more, parts of the film are overly-punctuated with music at times when chilling silence would seem more appropriate. But the overall story, impressive acting and incredible direction make this a must-watch DVD.
DVD Extras: 2 Disc Collector's Edition DVD.
Reflections from the set, Between Two Worlds, the storyboard process, music and sound design, Reaching The Audience, Rules & Clues, deleted scenes, publicity, filmmaker & cast biographies.
It's Got: Donnie Wahlberg taking a leaf out of his brother's book and showing us his pants.
It Needs: To be watched more than once, particularly if you're one for hunting down the many clues hinting at the end result.
Alternatives: Unbreakable, Signs
Summary: Flawed in places, but essentially a fascinating film full of shocks, atmosphere, heavily-religious symbolism and one of the all-time classic twists.
Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 28th August 2003
External Links
Official Web Site
The Sixth Sense at the IMDB
Comments11 Comments |
| basterd of a movie |
| Comment by:- pippylongstockings | | 04 June 2004 | ip: logged |
| Totally freaky, but majorly, bone-chillingly good fun to watch, if you want a good scare! |
| Comment by:- Jacobz_gal_04 | | 07 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| Is Misha Barton the girl whose mother poisons her? |
| Comment by:- Pip | | 31 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| rubbish!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 14 September 2004 | ip: logged |
| I think that IS Mischa Barton! I came to this website to answer the same question. |
| Comment by:- Anon | | 05 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| it is mischa barton |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 26 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| it is mischa barton. she told America that she was in this movie when she was younger |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 05 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| A superb film! Chilling and frigtening all the way through! |
| Comment by:- Beca | | 14 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| the best film i ever seen!!!!!!!!!! |
| Comment by:- annonimous | | 16 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| i luv haley joel osment!!!!!!!!!he is the sexiest guy eva born on the face of the earth and the best acting i have ever seen you can feel the way he acts i love it:D |
| Comment by:- halez stevo babe | | 15 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| It's a toss between this one and Se7en for best Flick ever made. These are both great movies and "yes" very bone-chilling is a good description. These should both be followed with "5" stars instead of "4". Boo to you...Gary Panton. |
| Comment by:- FROMnANGEL | | 01 April 2005 | ip: logged |
