The Happening (2008) – Jeff’s Early Review

“The attacks are spreading.”

Jeff’s Synopsis

Something is causing people to kill themselves. Hundreds and thousands of people, for no explained reason are suddenly doing whatever they can to end their lives. Elliot Moore (Mark Wahlberg) plays a high school science teacher trying to figure it all out before it’s to late. However once it’s learned what is causing this “happening” it may be too late to stop it.

Review

Originally titled “The Green Effect,” M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Happening” will scare the hell out of you. That is, if you like M. Night Shyamalan work. The happening has everything a viewer could want from a horror movie. Suspense, check. Terror, check. Fright, check. Mystery, check. Solid acting, well, for the most part.

Not everyone will be happy with Mark Wahlberg’s performance, but I loved it. He’s confidant, and commanding which allows him to take command of every scene he is in. Zooey Deschanel, plays his wife Alma. They share some chemistry together, but nothing like it could have been with a different actress. Her delivery is very hallow and it distracts from the film. She was the same way in “Tin Man,” the Sci-Fi channel’s remake of The Wizard of Oz. She gets increasing better as the movie goes on, but I’m surprised they went with her for the role.

The Happening has some really frightening scenes. A man gives himself up for dinner to a lion and we get to watch it all on someone’s iPhone via youtube. It’s creative and original all the while delivering some of the most subdued suspense you can expect from M. Night Shyamalan.

So what is “happening,” I won’t spoil it, but I know there will be some crazy environmentalist groups nodding their heads in agreement. That being said, it doesn’t distract from anything and the movie never feels like a sermon. I wish however they would have kept the original name “The Green Effect.” It just makes more sense and gives the movie more depth.

The film reminded me a lot of a Stephen King book called “The Cell.” The book had terrorists using signals in cell phones to turn everyone in to murdering zombies. The book was published in the early 2006 (thanks Alisa). I have to believe that M. Night was inspired in part by King’s book.

Cast

• Mark Wahlberg as Elliot Moore
• Zooey Deschanel as Alma Moore
• John Leguizamo as Julian
• Ashlyn Sanchez as Jess
• Betty Buckley as Mrs. Jones
• Spencer Breslin as Josh
• Robert Bailey Jr. as Jared
• Frank Collison as the nursery owner
• Jeremy Strong as Private Auster
• Alan Ruck as the principal
• Victoria Clark as the nursery owner’s wife
• M. Night Shyamalan as Joey

Ratings and Suggestions

The movie is rated R for violent and disturbing images. This is not a movie for children or young teenagers. Some of the scenes will make you turn your head. This is a major plus for many adults and the studio has even used their “R” rating as a marketing device. The film opens this Friday (the 13th) against the Incredible Hulk. It should do good, despite being up against such a power house. The movie is awesome and I recommend it. Three out of four stars.

Spoilers – The Ending and why many may not like the movie (Copy section to see)

I was very curious to see if they would kill off Elliot, Alma and Jess. If the movie was really honest with itself, they would have died. And besides the horrid acting of Zooey Deschanel, they should never have had Jess speak. Her first words of “Okay Aunt Alma. I love you.” Was way too forced and sticky. They should have just let Jess hug Alma tight and let that speak for itself. This was a big mistake and I think will help people leave the theater with a negative taste in their mouth. Just pretend like it never happened, and I think you’ll enjoy the film more.

The final ending with the green effect happening again in a far off, foreign country works. We didn’t see any one take their life, but it left you will a cold chill, knowing this thing is far from over…