Signs (2002) Full Reaction
Added 2026-01-15 16:07:49 +0000 UTC
Comments
This is a movie I don’t think I can view without the bias of nostalgia. I saw it when it first came out, and it scared the hell out of me; sleepless nights and all. One of my first big scary movies, and it really was scary for a kid at the time. But I do genuinely think that this is an excellent movie, even with it’s not-insubstantial flaws. I like to think that I’d prepare a little better than the family does with all the warning they get; release the dog to fend for itself since it might attack, get the medicine and supplies down to the basement and board up down there. Also, not enough thought is put into the aliens. The pantry door was locked sure, but their hind legs are strong enough to get on rooftops. Kicking a pantry door down is a possibility for the average man, these guys should be able to blast through it. Mostly though, the aliens creep me the hell out. They keep them the right amount of hidden Still, I love the score and how expertly this film ratchets up the tension. The build-up is so perfect, and even the minor characters have plenty of personality. All these little things just contribute to making the core of the piece so solid; at the time, M Night was being hailed as the next Spielberg which nobody could possibly live up to, but this film definitely has a sentimental Spielbergian tone to it, with the family dynamics and sweet, funny moments. The military recruiter would fit right into Twin Peaks, and I think his strange cadence is absolutely a choice. Really great performances across the board. Mel Gibson might be an unhinged lunatic with bats in his brain, but he’s one hell of an actor. I even bought him, a certified maniac known for intensely violent movies, as a meek ex-reverend who doesn’t swear. The only dud is M Night as himself; he’s not Tarantino bad when it comes to acting, but he sure ain’t good. I would’ve stuck a Ben Foster or Shea Whigham in this role. And as others have said, War of the Worlds is a novel by HG Wells, one of science-fiction's fathers. It's very much a progenitor to alien stories, the icon, the go-to, the one that's been adapted a hundred times. Spielberg adapted it loosely in 2005 at the height of post 9/11 paranoia; it's definitely worth a watch, and would make a great reaction tbh.
Jorgalorg
2026-01-22 19:53:57 +0000 UTCI’ve always liked this movie. The Spielberg War of The Worlds is better as an alien invasion story but lacks the emotional depth that Signs has. The best War of the Worlds adaptation is the 1978 prog rock opera/concept album by Jeff Wayne. The 2023 film No One Will Save You would be an interesting follow up to Signs. It’s a feminist take on alien invasion with a lot of Signs in its DNA.
Jacob King
2026-01-19 00:31:04 +0000 UTCI won't lie, it hurt me a little when you asked if 'War of the Worlds' was a video game lol. It's actually an amazing book by H. G. Wells (it's also been adapted into film a few times).
Lime Pie
2026-01-16 04:22:50 +0000 UTCI love this movie so much haha, one of Shyamalan's best imo. For more little Abigail Breslin, you should watch Little Miss Sunshine (2006), it's my absolute favorite non-horror movie ever.
Julia
2026-01-16 03:00:13 +0000 UTCJoaquin's character going from calling it all a scam to sitting on the couch with a tinfoil hat is hilarious. This was a great movie, tho im still mad they forgot the dog.. :(
Frelle
2026-01-15 20:13:14 +0000 UTCThat birthday party scene was perfect, wasn't it? It's more subtle than a big dumb jump scare; I mean my cat can jump out at me from behind the fridge and startle me. But that scene genuinely scared me.
Clipped
2026-01-15 16:37:20 +0000 UTCA flawed favourite of mine, so stoked you watched this. I’m saving this one for the weekend, but this was the movie that kept me up night after night as a kid when I first saw it and started my lifelong fear of aliens, shaky video footage, cornfields and directors who insert themselves into films despite little in the way of acting talent. All around, a somewhat maligned minor masterpiece of tension and character. Great score too. Can’t wait to watch the reaction on the weekend!
Jorgalorg
2026-01-15 16:18:10 +0000 UTC
