USA 2019
Opening January 17, 2019    

Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan                                                                          
Writing credits: M. Night Shyamalan
Principal actors: Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, James McAvoy, Sarah Paulson, Spencer Treat Clark

David (Willis) and son (Clark) utilize the store’s electronic equipment to monitor nemeses and persons of interest. Although since his dad’s accident sometimes Joe is over-protective. Whereas, Kevin (McAvoy) listens to whoever currently holds sway. At odds in their priorities, when David and Kevin meet, they spectacularly clash; the police step-in. Posthaste they are whisked to a psychiatric research hospital for Dr. Ellie Staple’s (Paulson) evaluation. Specializing in the field of delusions of grandeur, i.e. patients that believe they are a superhero, she explains and outlines the tight schedule, stressing the significance of their cooperation. Casey (Anya Taylor-Joy), a survivor, is allowed a monitored meeting with Kevin; Joe meets with Dr. Staple to discuss his comic book theory in relation to dad. Their final test is meeting the patient with the caring mother (Charlayne Woodard); the incommunicable and wheelchair bound Elijah (Jackson). Tested together, the meeting proves enlightening. Its aftermath exposes the Mastermind’s plan, which forces The Beast and Green Cape to action, upon which Staple calculatingly responds.

Writer-director M. Night Shyamalan’s flinging superheroes onscreen haphazardly is emphasized by Shyamalan overlooking the detail that not all audiences are familiar with his Eastrail 177 Trilogy: Unbreakable, 2000 and Split, 2016. Instead, this third installment seems a convoluted prequel. McAvoy/Kevin Crumb/The Horde amazingly excels playing ten of the 23 prominent personalities Kevin has. Willis/Green Cape/ The Overseer is restrained, reflective, and Jackson/Mr. Glass/Mastermind compellingly straddles superhuman intelligence/madness; neither was given full reign depicting their characters, especially Jackson. Production values are good. Even though it takes a quarter of Glass’ length to make sense of the plot, it is interesting enough and entertaining. Whatever, McAvoy’s performance is worth the price of a ticket. 129 minutes (Marinell H.)