Unbreakable (2000)

This follow-up to M. Night Shyamalan's out-of-nowhere breakout smash The Sixth Sense retains that film's deliberate pacing and attention to detail, but has more on its mind. This makes Unbreakable an even more ambitious and intriguing picture, even if the film's resolution leaves the viewer in the lurch by not realizing its full potential. A bold take on the mythology of comic books and realizing one's fate, the film is closest to the spirit of Alfred Hitchcock, who, like Shyamalan, lures viewers in one direction only to draw attention to something completely different when they least expect it. This is one of the film's strongest points: it is genuinely unpredictable and, until its wrap-up, feels as if it was helmed by a true visionary. Bruce Willis is quietly powerful in a rare interior role, fully engaging the viewer with his unshowy, sympathetic portrayal of a conflicted individual. While no Sixth Sense in terms of popularity, Unbreakable was still a box-office champ, despite polarizing much of its core audience. Supposedly, Shyamalan intended this film to be part of a planned trilogy, all of which would further explore Willis' character. ~ Jason Clark, All Movie Guide