AshleyO-699

Probably the most divisive director in current Hollywood, Shyamalan has a unique catalogue of movies that range from excellent (The Sixth Sence), very good (Unbreakable, Signs, Split) or the majority being downright awful. And I am the first to criticise most of his movies, although I will admit he has two movies that although flawed, had promising signs. Those being 'Knock At The Cabin' and this picture, 'The Visit'.

Truth be told, it was a somewhat return to form for the director after a string of literal nonsense, but by no means is that a brilliant movie, but it is interesting, if somewhat unoriginal.

It somehow works better because it is not a original idea from Shyamalan, because truth be told his original ideas just don't work anymore. This has all the hallmarks and elements of a modern day Hansel And Gretel, which being a well known and loved story may just keep most people in watching this movie and that's what kept me enticed until the end.

It's back to basics for Shyamalan and I believe this is his movie with the lowest budget, but the simplicity works. I am a huge critic of this person of view camcorder shooting style for the most part, but this is one of those rare occasions it kind of works. Because your viewing it from the perspective of the kids, you manage to feel all the uncomfortableness they are feeling. And credit to Shyamalan, he makes this a unsettling watch.

But much in contrast with his latest pictures it has all the flaws that are now inevitably expected. Truth be told, I didn't see the plot twist coming until it landed, but it didn't truly work as a shock because even though I didn't see it coming, I knew that a plot twist would eventually occur, because it always does with this director, it's familiar and expected, which damages it's execution.

From a performance point of view I think all the actors done a fine job, especially young actress (Olivia DeJonge). But in a sence these actors do a better job than what was expected because there are some major problems with the written dialogue and script. Credit to the actors for pulling through it but Shyamalan still has a problem for writing credible or interesting dialogue, which is a trend in current Shyamalan pics.

But, all in all, it's not too bad. It doesn't reach the heights of Shyamalan's earlier movies, but at least there's a small glimpse that maybe he has something interesting left to shoot. But I'd recommend it as a one time watch, I think the Hansel and Gretel esque story will keep most people interested even if the dialogue is corny.

Well I think I'm alike many of the reviewers who have watched this movie, and by that I meen I'm somewhat perplexed by the movie I just witnessed. Now don't get me wrong, I followed the story, but it just wasn't the story I had prepared myself to have watched. One minute I'm watching a disaster movie, not particularly the disaster movie I imagined, it's much more isolated, and then all of a sudden it hits 'The Matrix' territory and caught me suprise.

Now I'm a moderate fan of sci-fi movies, and while this really isn't your average sci-fi story it sure borrows a lot of narratives from the genre. Which I'd be ok with, if it was executed well, which I can't agree this movie has achieved that.

First things first, the story becomes repetitive, glitchy and messy especially during the half way point of the picture up until the ending. Some people are praising it's originality, personally as a person who has watched their fair share of movies involving sci-fi and A. I specifically, I don't really think it's that original. In fact, outside the fact it collides the A. I narrative with a disaster movie, theirs really little originality at all.

And while I'm open to mashing these two genre's together, it can only work if one or both narratives are interesting, and it under delivers on both. I liked the idea that someone was trapped in a high rise during a tsunamic episode, but that's where my interest died because visually it looked very green screen, and because the majority of the picture is set in one place, it gets tiring very quickly. The A. I subplot didn't really work at all, it lacked the Intrigue, suspence or any factor that makes reliving the same day interesting. Of course when you're reliving similar scenes over and over it really helps to have some interesting characters to follow.

And I'll cut some slack here, the female lead was watchable, and in these imported movies, sometimes thats enough, I find it difficult to really judge acting abilities when a movie is dubbed, and often dubbed terribly. The biggest problem comes in the form of the child actor. And anyone who has read any review from me in the past knows Im normally lenient on young actors. But truthfully, I was ready to dropkick this little kid, dubbed or not. From his first scene, his constant whining and nagging was eating me up, and this character is truly the movies biggest irritant. Scenes which hinted of this characters demise, I cheered, and that says it all. There was only so much I could take and listening to this little brat moan that he needs to take a poop was enough for me.

Honestly, the trailer is very kind to this movie. It's really not the picture it's advertised to be and I think the majority of viewers are going to be let down by the final product.

American Pie spin offs are by large a mess. They are often to direct to video releases, and ultimately the quality of the movies reflect that. But this is a new era, where movies have to be diverse. And who better to write and direct a movie to entertain the female masses than a bunch of immature men.

First things first, I am more than aware that there are countless great female actors out there, incredible female screenwriters and terrific female directors. And just because a franchise has primarily focused on a male eccentric audience that doesn't call for a female perspective. Not everything has to be gender friendly. And even as a male, when done correctly I would be more than willing to enjoy a female orientated comedy. But trying to jump on the American Pie bandwagon was never going to do anyone any favours. They could of just opted for a origin standalone comedy.

Which could work, obviously in this case, this movie would never work regardless of what it was trying to be. Mostly in part because it tries to show the lifes of four young women as they go through there sexual journeys. And choose to have this movie written by and directed by men. Men who clearly know very little about women.

This is probably the lowest this franchise has dropped too. I am really struggling to find anything in the movie that could redeem it. The humour is silly, corny and ridiculous. The characters are hugely unlikeable throughout, nothing is really working for it at all.

Although a relatively short movie I found myself often clock watching counting down the minutes until it was over. It portrays the women as not so much being powering but being overbearing and annoying, the male characters don't really fare much better and they all have the IQ of a spud.

So sorry, wouldn't recommend this to anyone. Terrible writing, awful performances and a hugely unlikeable movie. Waste of time.