Aside from the episized version of JN Howard's Unbreakable (almost sacrilege), the movie actually looks terrific. Real shame Howard didn't come back to score it. This could have yielded a really terrific sequel score.
I like most of Shyamalan's movies, some of them are great (like Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, The Village), some of them at least very entertaining (like Signs). Some of them were awkward and left to be desired (After Earth, The Lady In the Water), but these movies were more flawed from a screenplay point of view. After Earth, for example, was well directed, it just had a bad script and was basically a vanity project for Smith & Son. Still, at least Shyamalan takes risks and tries do tell stories rather than make bankable blockbusters. Of course, that's why his movies are lower budgeted these days. I mean, GLASS cost less than a third than the original UNBREAKABLE, and that is not even counting for inflation. But at this point in time I prefer a low budget Shyamalan project over yet another superhero fight against supervillain alien invaders.
I like most of Shyamalan's movies, some of them are great (like Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, The Village), some of them at least very entertaining (like Signs). Some of them were awkward and left to be desired (After Earth, The Lady In the Water), but these movies were more flawed from a screenplay point of view. After Earth, for example, was well directed, it just had a bad script and was basically a vanity project for Smith & Son. Still, at least Shyamalan takes risks and tries do tell stories rather than make bankable blockbusters. Of course, that's why his movies are lower budgeted these days. I mean, GLASS cost less than a third than the original UNBREAKABLE, and that is not even counting for inflation. But at this point in time I prefer a low budget Shyamalan project over yet another superhero fight against supervillain alien invaders.
Well said. As long as is visually (and emotionally) striking I don't need nor action nor spectacle. And THAT is something refreshing enough these days for me to justify my ticket.
So FSM Board of ya'll to be bitchin that JNH isn't scoring this film, but ya'll bitch that JNH is not JNH anymore. Well, boys and gurls he still is JNH, and he is the BOMB and always will be. I'm going too see this film and I am no Shamalamadingdong fan-save for Unbreakable-and Split-so it fits for me.
After Split I'm probably looking forward to this more than anything else this year that's not from Marvel. When MNS is on there's no one in the world who makes movies like him. And I can't think of another filmmaker who is writing and directing original stories.
As far as no JNH, I would assume it's partially a money decision, Night looks to be (wisely) keeping budgets low these days.
Lets see... Unbreakable comes out, nobody knew what it was and surprise! it turned out to be a "superhero" film and many just love it. Split comes out and again, nobody knew what it was, then surprise! it turned out to be a "super villain" film and everyone loves it. And now everyone expect a comic-book type of film from Glass and many are ending up disappointed!....I don't know but as I see this it may well be all about expectations; what people want from this movie VS discover where does the movie take us, just like the others. I'm, as in any of Shyamalan films, in the later category and I know I will enjoy it for what it really is.
Lets see... Unbreakable comes out, nobody knew what it was and surprise! it turned out to be a "superhero" film and many just love it. Split comes out and again, nobody knew what it was, then surprise! it turned out to be a "super villain" film and everyone loves it. And now everyone expect a comic-book type of film from Glass and many are ending up disappointed!....I don't know but as I see this it may well be all about expectations; what people want from this movie VS discover where does the movie take us, just like the others. I'm, as in any of Shyamalan films, in the later category and I know I will enjoy it for what it really is.
Very well put. I mean, SPLIT was a movie that worked apart from the fact that it was a sequel to UNBREAKABLE... in fact, that it WAS a sequel to UNBREAKABLE was the "twist" ending. But while a lot (though not all) of Shyamalan's movies since The 6th Sense may contain twist endings, he does not rely no them. I've seen 6th Sense twice, originally when it came out and about a year ago or so, and both times I knew the "twist", yet both times I nevertheless enjoyed the movie. I enjoyed it even more the second time, because the first time I checked constantly if the director "cheated", the second time I enjoyed what a good story this movie really has at its heart (the redemption of a ghost) and how well it was played.
Give me a break. Shyamalan gave JNH most of his best scoring opportunities out of his entire career. Even when the films left something to be desired, like Lady in the Water.
Indeed. Also, when we attended one of his concerts recently, JNH spoke highly of Shymalan. I was not under the impression that he would be reluctant to work with him again.
I attended a JNH concert in Miami in 2016, also attended by Shyamalan, and each publicly sang the other’s praises. Shyamalan even came up onstage from the audience, to describe how much JNH’s music benefited his films, then JNH conducted several sections from them. So, whatever rancor had existed from AFTER EARTH (2013), seemed to have ebbed considerably.
AFTER EARTH is Shyamalan’s lowest ebb. Nothing like a sci-fi epic about nepotism! Especially with a no-talent wannabe like Jaden Smith.
Give me a break. Shyamalan gave JNH most of his best scoring opportunities out of his entire career. Even when the films left something to be desired, like Lady in the Water.
Indeed. Also, when we attended one of his concerts recently, JNH spoke highly of Shymalan. I was not under the impression that he would be reluctant to work with him again.
I attended a JNH concert in Miami in 2016, also attended by Shyamalan, and each publicly sang the other’s praises. Shyamalan even came up onstage from the audience, to describe how much JNH’s music benefited his films, then JNH conducted several sections from them. So, whatever rancor had existed from AFTER EARTH (2013), seemed to have ebbed considerably.
AFTER EARTH is Shyamalan’s lowest ebb. Nothing like a sci-fi epic about nepotism! Especially with a no-talent wannabe like Jaden Smith.
I think MNF was a victim of his own success. The big money stuff went off the rails. Since going back to smaller budgets, things have improved dramatically.
I'm sure if JNH wanted to score these films for MNS he could, if he was willing to drop his price tag or do it for $1. These are VERY rich men, money shouldn't really be an issue here. Would John Williams still score Spielberg's films if he couldn't get top dollar? I'd like to think so. Poledouris took a dollar to score the low budget IT'S MY PARTY for friend Randal Kleiser. Even Horner had took to offering freebies or low costs to score the films he really wanted to do near the end. Maybe Kerrrrching Howard just ain't that type of guy.
We don't know why Kraemer isn't scoring the new McQuarrie film (I used to know McQuarrie, and I have his email address… but after five or six years of not seeing each other, I don't think I'll ask him!). It's not necessarily indicative of a falling out, or studio interference. We just don't know.
Actually, McQuarrie said in a dozen interviews that the reason he went with a different composer was in pursuit of making a tonally different Mission film. He also changed cinematographers to go for a different shooting style. Went for a different team altogether so he wasn't repeating himself. Both scores were excellent in the end. Lorne Balfe's score, at first listen, before I saw the film, sounded generic to me. Then I saw the film and couldn't stop listening to it. It became my favorite score of the year.
But on the subject of James Newton Howard and Shamayalan, I'm happy he's focusing his energy on more worthy films.
After the brilliant THE VISIT and SPLIT, my expectations for this are quite high. But those were both indie films. This is a big studio film. So I better temper the expectations somewhat. I'm seeing it on Tuesday morning.
