Verdict? Eh, not so good:

“One might charitably describe “The Happening” as a transitional work for M. Night Shyamalan. In an attempted rebound from the critical and commercial calamity of “Lady in the Water,” the writer-director has scaled back most of his characteristic touches — the contorted horror/fantasy mythology, the “gotcha” twist ending, even his trademark cameo — instead serving up a patchy, uninspired eco-thriller whose R rating (a first for Shyamalan) looks more like a B.O. hindrance than an artistic boon. After an initial bloom of interest, the Fox release will likely wilt quickly in the summer heat.”

We discussed writer-director Shyamalan here and here. And for all we know, Variety’s critic got it all wrong on Night’s latest movie. Still it’s puzzling. The Sixth Sense was such a great script, even from that very first scene:

 INT. BASEMENT - EVENING

A NAKED LIGHTBULB SPARKS TO LIFE.  It dangles from the ceiling ofa basement.

LIGHT, QUICK FOOTSTEPS AS ANNA CROWE moves down the stairs.

Anna is the rare combination of beauty and innocence.  She standsin the chilly basement in an elegant summer dress that outlinesher slender body.  Her gentle eyes move across the empty room andcome to rest on a rack of wine bottles covering one entire wall.

She walks to the bottles.  Her fingertips slide over the labels.She stops when she finds just the right one.  A tiny smile as sheslides it out.

Anna turns to leave.  Stops.  She stares at the shadowy basement.It's an unsettling place.  She stands very still and watches herbreath form a TINY CLOUD IN THE COLD AIR.  She's visiblyuncomfortable.

Anna Crowe moves for the staircase in a hurry.  Each step fasterthan the next.  She climbs out of the basement in another burstof LIGHT, QUICK FOOTSTEPS.

WE HEAR HER HIT THE LIGHT SWITCH.

THE LIGHTBULB DIES.  DRIPPING BLACK DEVOURS THE ROOM.

      CUT TO:

Something as simple as a woman getting a bottle of wine, yet Shyamalan manages to set the ghostly tone of the movie with less than a page of spare, but strikingly visual writing. Not to mention the job he did directing the movie, demonstrating remarkable skill and restraint.

Clearly Shyamalan has an abundance of talent. Let’s hope he finds his next great story.