Signs is one of those movies that I can’t understand why people dislike. It is not a horrible film. With a-list actors, Mel Gibson and Jaquoin Phoenix, and great performances from Abigail Breslin and Rory Signs is by in large one of the best movies produced in the early 2k. And although there are flaws — show me a movies without mistakes— you can’t tack up its poor criticism to a lack of inconsideration by the director but we can argue that maybe the director, M. Night Shyamalan, was the reason why audiences were so torn between whether they liked or disliked this film.
In This Episode
The Opening Title Sequence
As simple as it were, text over a chilling orchestrated score, this opening was very reminiscent to productions of the forties and fifties where such directors, like, Alfred Hitchcock would set the mood of the film by just introducing the music — that would be featured throughout the film— in the opening credits.
The Animals
Why were the dogs so erratic and violent towards the family? Was there as much significance with the birds in this movie as they were in War of The Worlds?
Bo and The Shining
The young girl in this movie displays precognitive thinking and the ability to unwilling see into the future (premonitions).
There are similarities to her character and Rachel from War of The Worlds; they are both keen to there environment and seen to be more mature and sensitive to activities which the eyes and ears are unable to perceive.
Signs Bo Has the shining: she is alway thirsty but never drink water. There is always something that disgusts her about the water.
The Alien Invasion is a Metaphor to Dealing With Grief
As Graham and his family deals with the death of his wife Colleen, it’s hard for Graham to accept that what is happening is true— aliens are real and they are here.
The Two Groups
Graham presents to his brother-in-law the theory of two groups of faithfuls, those who believe in miracles and those who do not. Which are you? Is it possible there are no miracles and only coincidences?
Provocation of War
Did Graham provoke the invasion with his run in with an alien trapped inside the pantry of his wife’s killer?
The recruiter told Meryl that they [the aliens] don’t seem hostile but rather curious. If they were hostile, they would have attacked already. Battle lines weren’t crossed until the incident at the pantry involving Graham.
Foreshadowing
The book Morgan bought from the bookstore paints a precarious picture of what is to happen to the Rees Household.
A tortilla with the face of Jesus is just a tortilla that taste a lil bit better. – Chrip Ruple
Tangets and Other References:
Stamen televison show
V, the television series
War of The Worlds, 2005
The Shining, by Stephen King
Allegory and Metaphors
Pretty Little Liars
The Lost World
Twilight Zone episode directed by Arnold Schwarzenegger
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFxCaknzzUo