The strange, intriguing, sometimes beautiful and always mystical phenomenon
of crop signs - patterns drawn in crops, where some plants in a field
of corn are bent (but not broken) in such a way as to make a distinct
pattern or symbol - are nothing new. The phenomenon has been with us for
a long time.
Some say they are just an elaborate hoax - just kids and their pranks.
There are others, however, who believe these crop symbols are a sign
- a sign that we are not alone in this vast universe, and that our neighbours
are trying to make contact.
Credibility, in one sense, is lent to the latter argument in the very
fact that the phenomenon has been around for so long and that no one anywhere
has ever proven they are just pranks, no one has ever been caught drawing
the symbols, and no one has ever bragged to their mates over a pint or
three that it was they who was responsible for the elaborate and highly
technical crop drawings.
So what do they mean? What, in fact, are they? Who (or what) made them?
-- And why?
Signs explores one possible answer. It turns out that the symbols,
after all, a sign from the heavens that we are not alone in the universe.
While the strictest translation of the symbols is never explained, it
becomes quickly apparent that they are some kind of navigational aid for
the extra terrestrials.
If Earth is ever visited by aliens, there are two distinct categories
they can fall in to, apparently. Either they will be curious intergalactic
adventurers, keen on knowledge, science and universal betterment, or they
will be hostile, intent on exploiting our planet for their own commercial
(or similar) self interest.
In this case, unfortunately, it turns out that the visitors using our
cornfields as navigational aids are here bent on exploitation rather than
exploration. They have come in vast numbers to harvest, not our crops,
but us - human beings - to what purpose we never find out.
Signs, however, is not really about the invasion or the resulting
war of the worlds.
It is a movie about one man's struggle to raise two young kids after
the death of his wife in a freakish road accident.
In real terms, Signs is a powerful movie that works on many levels.
It delivers a good, solid story line that puts frail, flawed, everyday
characters in an a wholly believable and powerfully extraordinary situation.
It is also a sci-fi thriller that, in the very first minutes, grabs your
stomach, wrenches it into knots and holds it there for nigh on two hours
solid.
Not that it is a particularly horrific or frightening movie. It just
raises its audience to a level of nervous tension so very, very early
and never lets them relax long enough to feel comfortable again.
Signs also boasts one of the most powerful acting ensembles I've
had the pleasure to watch for a long time. Mel Gibson is simply brilliant
in a reserved, understated role, quite unlike any he has done before.
Quite possibly an Oscar-contending performance.
Culkin is terrific in his debut performance. Unlike his brother, Rory
will have the distinct advantage of being remembered for a debut performance
of substance.
As cute kids go, Braslin probably wasn't as cute to look at as some
others before her, but again, with a performance of such substance behind
her, this little star is surely destined to shine.
Phoenix as the well meaning, but only slightly less than saintly brother,
adds a small counter measure of humour and irreverence to an otherwise
puritanesque, small-town family.
But it's together as a group they work so brilliantly - an ensemble
constellation.
Although it is nothing like The 6th Sense, or Seven, or
Fight Club, Signs is one of those movies that marks itself as truly
memorable because it is so surprisingly different to anything else before
it. Not really surprising, however, that it came from the same writer/director
that brought us The 6th Sense and Unbreakable. This, his
third instalment, puts him soundly back on the A list following the dissapointment
of his second effort.
The official
website is worth a good surf as well. Just a bit dissapointing there's
no screen saver offered.
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