- Format: NTSC
- Region: (US and Canada This DVD will probably NOT be viewable in other countries. Read more about DVD formats.)
- MPAA Rating:
- Studio: Fox Video
- Release Date: Oct 7 2008
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B001E7LY1W
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #3,402 in DVD (See Top 100 in DVD)
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Most helpful customer reviews
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A thinking-person's zombie film,
By Dr. Richard Daystrom "creator, M-5 multitroni... (Daystrom Institute, Earth, United Federation of Planets) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)
This review is from: The Happening [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray)
The Happening [Blu-ray]The Happening is a suspenseful, spooky movie with occasional gruesome violence, unusual to date in a Shyamalan film. This 2008 movie is a thought-provoking thriller that provides hints, but no real answers to the apocalyptic crisis. The audience is left to sort through the possible causes of the cataclysmic Happening, as well as to decide what it was that ended the crisis as quickly as it began. Was there an environmental catastrophe? Was there some earthly ecological consciousness that arose to fight off the harmful human presence that is destroying the planet? Was it a malevolent supernatural force that moved in the air, possessing and killing victims in its wake? What stopped or slowed the phenomenon? Did it peter out as a storm dissipates? If it was some satanic force, did it just move on to another place (Paris) to possess its next victims? If the catastrophe was caused by an intelligence, ecological or supernatural, did it recognize the power of love, which halted it in its tracks? The story focuses on the troubled relationship of a couple (Wahlberg, Deschanel) fleeing their urban life in search of anywhere safer. Both characters were played simply, pared down, but endearing and demonstrating a vulnerability and truthfulness. I was reminded of the Biblical story of Lot and his wife, and their flight from the doomed twin cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Despite the couples' efforts in both stories, they failed to save the population (or fellow refugees) after repeated attempts. I didn't find clear answers in the film, but enjoyed debating the issues afterwards. I enjoy films like this that offer more than just entertainment for a couple of hours. Shyamalan takes his place with Rod Serling (and perhaps even Carl Sagan) as a modern speculative storyteller who seeks to understand humanity and our relationship not only to each other but to the cosmos. I enjoyed The Happening enough to purchase the BD copy. I have seen both the DVD and Blu-ray versions. The Blu-ray offers a few bonus featurettes not included on the DVD edition, as well as improved picture and nice audio quality, and a textual commentary track with occasional PiP interview material. It is regrettable that there is no commentary track from the principals or writer-director Shyamalan on either version. But the high-def bonuses are a must for any who enjoyed this film.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Could have been 'Happening',
By
This review is from: The Happening (DVD)
An interesting theme, but the film should have been developed more. Knight seems to focus upon the mundane, everday-life, within his films. (almost a made-for-tv approach). His films appear to have a touch of a '19th century feel' to them. This remains okay, but when your trying to sell a film (and dvd) to an audience, the film has to include the same technological inovations which people endure in everyday life. Unless of course, your filming a historical film or documentary, which this film clearly is not.Steven Spielburg could have had a 'field-day' with this premise. Knight should instead commune more with some 21st century producers. Knight should realize he now has the budget to exceed earlier 'high-school film project' concepts. Having said this, his direction and camera angles remain a distinct feature within his films. Still, no reason to look back at his earlier successful films - and not ahead to new ideas. Diversification is the key to a successful career in the arts. Life indeed moves in circles, and eventually he can return to his earlier film concepts. Instead, Knight should start reading sci-fi novels for future film concept ideas. Then take the time and budget, to invest in modern special effects, including CGI.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tension in the air...,
By Betty L. Dravis "BETTY DRAVIS, author/reviewer" (Silicon Valley, CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: The Happening (DVD)
I really liked this movie because it was suspenseful and moved along at a fast clip, but it's definitely not in the same league as The Sixth Sense. That was a gripping movie, filled with eerie, frightening happenings and great acting.The opening scene of The Happening occurs in Central Park on a bustling, normal day. Two young women are chatting on a bench when suddenly all the others "freeze in their tracks." The girls are puzzled, but before her friend can stop her one girl sticks a sharp object in her throat and commits suicide. Thus begins a rash of suicides, construction workers jumping off girders in unison, police officers pulling their own guns and killing themselves... As the media and bureaucratic professionals try to understand and explain what's happening in the mid-Atlantic Coast states, people are fleeing the cities in droves. The movie follows one couple, their friend and his daughter as they join with other survivors along the road west... As they strive to stay alive, their band gets smaller and smaller as people die off all around them, all by suicide. It proves to be "something in the air" and as they run for their lives, they learn little by little how to protect themselves. But the neuro-toxins in the wind finally catch up to them and...but this is one of the best scenes and I can't describe it without giving the plot away. Even though this film had little graphics--simply an eerie wind blowing through the foliage--that, the pace and the music made it tense enough for me. And the good actors made it believable; just normal people with a fair share of problems trying to survive a disaster. In my opinion, this is definitely not a horror movie; rather, it's a thought-provoking, creepy film that makes me wonder if something like this could really happen. There is a sweet love story between the married main characters that gives a satisfactory ending to the mid-Atlantic happening. And a frightening twist at the very end that gives the viewer further cause to wonder. Not a masterpiece by any means, but it was very entertaining. Reviewed by Betty Dravis, May 4, 2010 Author of "Dream Reachers" (with Chase Von) and other books
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