Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Movie Review-The Happening


Blogger's note: So I've decided to include my review of movies in this blog, including the old and crappy. Sure, why not?


THE HAPPENING (Spoilers ahead)

Here's a tip for all you tree-hugging environmentalists-if Mother Nature does decide to strike in the form of poisonous toxins, you're safe as long as you stay in small groups. And outrun the wind. And keep a certain distance from the wind. And it's a Monday. On second thought, is it Mother Nature? Maybe it's terrorists.

In a nutshell, that's the message The Happening is trying to impart on the audience. In fact, that is the only message in this film. The protagonist doesn't know where he's going, what he's doing, and he's just trying to outrun mother nature as she creates a neurotoxin that makes people commit suicide in large groups. Or smallish groups. Or whatever.

As someone who loves survival horror movies, I have absolutely no problem with the protagonist not doing anything relevant to saving Earth (and he's a scientist in this one too!). The problem is, there are just so many other movies that do this better-Cloverfield and War of the Worlds, to name two. Another issue is that the logic of the movie is pretty much 'oh, whatever the director feels like at the time'. Charming old widow who lives alone in the house? Sure! But let's make her crazy five minutes later even though it makes absolutely no sense! Yea!

I"m a fan of Mark Wahlberg, but in this film...he's pretty irrelevant. Zooey Deschanel is actually the only actress I really like in this film, playing the beautiful but vulnerable Alma Moore with some depth. Unfortunately, neither of them can save this illogical mess of a film.

1 star out of 5

And don't get me started on how many times they said 'Happening' in the film...

3 comments:

Graham Storrs said...

Hi Natasha, Just stopped by to have a look at the blog. Thanks for the warning re The Happening. From the title, I'd have guessed it was an early '70s film about hippies. Many people must have been saved by that simple mistake.

I thought 'I Am Legend' was great - a post-apocalyptic film where the scientist actually did something.

Natasha Bennett said...

True, 'I am Legend' was an interesting film. I'll have to do a review of it at some point. :)

Thessauron said...

I remember watching this and coming out of the cinema thinking, the whole movie was so NOT happening.