Review of Sixth Sense, The

Introduction

"A Real `Must See Twice` Film" is emblazoned proudly on the cover of this DVD, and I can tell you straight off, that is a load of bull. Despite the hype, you can get the story first time out and it`s just a cynical ploy to double the receipts that has led to that advertising. But this is definitely a must see film. You are missing out on a rare cinematic experience if you haven`t seen it. In fact, if you have never seen it, assume that I have given a full 10 marks for content and go rent it. Stick it in the player, ignore the extras and trailers and just watch this film. Stop reading the review now.

O.K, have they gone yet? Good. You see, as good as The Sixth Sense is on first viewing, like any thriller, repeat viewings are never as satisfying. The secret is out and any surprises have been sprung. With a film like The Sixth Sense, where the story is as gripping and enthralling as possible, repeat viewings can potentially lessen the film. So the question is, Can the Sixth Sense be as good the second time around?

Dr. Malcolm Crowe is a child psychologist in Philadelphia, who on the night he receives recognition for his work is celebrating with his wife when they are interrupted by one of his former patients, Vincent. Vincent is distraught and angry that Dr Crowe couldn`t help him, and in the ensuing confrontation, Malcolm Crowe is shot and Vincent commits suicide. The film picks up a year later, with Malcolm Crowe haunted by his failure with Vincent and his marriage a shambles. He sees the opportunity to redeem himself when he meets Cole Sear who has remarkably similar problems to Vincent. He gets to know Cole and gradually gains his trust. But he is unprepared for Cole`s revelation. Cole is plagued with visions of the dead.

Video

Written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, The Sixth Sense is a powerful supernatural thriller that is startlingly original. He uses a restricted palette of colours to paint his world and the look of the film is as much a character of the story as the music and the actors. The film is tightly directed and it is as if the movie has been micro-metered to perfection. The film is presented on this disc in a 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer and, justifiably given the age of the film is pretty much flawless.

Audio

The sound is presented in DD 5.1 in English and Italian and again is suitable for the feature. The sound and music is equally impressive and especially immersive. The music by James Newton Howard is understated but powerful in drawing the viewer in. The sound design for the film is impressive and subtle. It adds a subliminal feel to the movie that is unnerving at times.

Features

I had an incongruous moment with the extra features. To summarise, there are little featurettes, Storyboard to film comparison (5min), The Cast (7min), Music and Sound Design (7min), Reaching the Audience (4min), Rules and Clues (6min), Deleted Scenes with Intros (15min) and A Conversation with M. Night Shyamalan (9min). As well as this there are the obligatory Trailers and Filmographies. I didn`t like the featurette format and would have preferred it all put together in one large documentary. But back to my incongruous moment. I really enjoyed this film, it is exciting, different and fresh, but watching the featurettes, I had a sinking feeling. I found that I really didn`t want to know how this film was made. The story has an unearthly and almost magic quality, but the documentaries lessened that. For one thing, Shyamalan isn`t the best of communicators (If I had a penny for every time he inserts "like" into a sentence…) but most importantly, the interviews give too much away. Even if you have seen the film, it feels like they are explaining how to do the magic trick after it is done. Obviously, you should under no circumstances watch them before watching the film, but personally I`d rather that I didn`t know about the "wires and mirrors". I won`t be watching them again.

Conclusion

I`ve probably said too much in that introduction, but it looks vague enough to pass. For second time viewers, who have can`t appreciate the film again for the shocks and chills, they have to look for strength of story and good performances. The performances in The Sixth Sense are uniformly excellent. The star of the film is undoubtedly Haley Joel Osment as young Cole Sear. You often hear of child actors and their associated precocity. Here you have the opposite in Haley Joel Osment. He is an actor who happens to be a child. A fine distinction maybe, but when you see his performance you see an actor as refined and as talented as any, regardless of age. His role is pivotal and the whole movie rests on his performance. His Cole Sear is a vulnerable and frightened child who is overwhelmed by what is happening to him, the veracity and strength Osment brings to the role is considerable and you pay avid attention to his character. Bruce Willis is outstanding as the psychologist Crowe, and works well with Osment. His understated performance punctuated Osment`s and in turn lifted his own. Toni Collette is Lynn Sear, Cole`s mother and the relationship between them is fresh and natural. Olivia Williams is Malcolm Crowe`s wife, Anna and her performance is again excellent and pivotal, but I can`t tell you why. Although Donnie Wahlberg is only in the film for a few seconds, and unrecognisable as the emaciated Vincent, his character is instrumental in setting up the story and again the performance matches the rest of the cast.

No, The Sixth Sense is not as good the second time around. It never has a chance. The first viewing gives such a bombshell and is such a mindblower that repeat viewings leave the film a pale shadow. There have been so many spoofs and take offs of the Sixth Sense that it has entered pop culture. But on the bright side, the story is good enough and the performances enthralling that you will enjoy this film again and again. It`s such a shame that Shyamalan messed up with the remake, and don`t get me wrong Unbreakable is definitely the same movie in new clothes. I hope that he returns/has returned to form with the Crop Circles movie he`s making/has made with Mel Gibson. The Sixth Sense is a masterpiece that won`t be out of place in anyone`s collection, but for once, I am faced with a DVD that I wish had fewer extras.