I've literally seen this movie decades ago and really enjoyed it then, but during the last years entirely forgot about it - until I saw Split in a sneak preview - when they showed the closing (or after credit?) scene, I was the only one in the cinema hall screaming "Oh my god, this is Unbreakable", while all the other visitors where puzzled. Unbelievable. Even my girlfriend didn't know the movie, so it had to be rewatched, and as "Glass" will be released this month, we finally got to actually watching it:
David Dunn (portrait by Bruce Willis) lives an ordinary life in modest circumstances, working as a football stadium security guy who is estranged from his wife and planing to start anew, when he gets in a train accident which he survives as the only person. He is then approached by the comic book enthusiast and comic art trader Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson) who is certain that David is a real life impersonation of all the super heroes written about in comic books. He tries to mentor David who doesn't believe a word...
Being a comic book fan and loving the mid 2000s for all the stunning great super hero movies (Sam Raimis Spider-Man, X-Men, The Dark Knight Trilogy, Hellboy, Constantine, Watchman, 300, Sin City and of course the first MCU movies), I have to say this movie really stands out. It's not a typical comic book movie - it's not based on a comic book, it isn't even seeing itself as a typical super hero movie - it's rather a meta comic book movie, all the while having an integral part of typical comic books and focusing on this relevant mechanism that every comic book thrives on.
All the while this movie is so totally different to any super hero movie you have ever seen. Totally calm, slow paced, no special effects, hardly any fight scenes, all the while absolutely thrilling due to brilliant cinematography, great acting and a killer score. The characters and their relations are as deep as in a drama movie, and nearly the entire movie is a built up to a great finale and an unexpected turn of events. There is no CGI, no action, not even a hero vs super villain showdown. All the while it touches the essence of every comic book story, and does so in an ingenious way.
Because of this, of course not everyone will like the movie - a lot will probably not even consider it an comic book or action hero movie. But it really is a memorization of the comic book genre and given its age, and the fact that it came before the action hero genre took off, it really aged well - even after all the Marvel, DC and independent stuff this movie stands out as a great movie.
And now I am really looking forward to seeing the final movie :)
Some of the camerwork was annoying and disengaging as it tried to be interesting or even arty. The story is so slow it's like a drip, and the characters are not good enough to make up for it. Willis isn't the best actor to carry a movie like this. It's a typical hollywood style supernatural drama in many ways, and I dislike them for promising a vast worldy idea yet they remain hollow on imagination and plot, often relying on a twist to try and make people think something clever happened. It's like they inserted random tense scenes just to stop people from falling asleep. The attempt at character transformation when Willis walks around in the rain wearing a hood was ridiculously cheesy.
Intense and mysterious.
Beautiful storytelling about good vs evil in a world where real superheros can exist where what makes us superheros are our choices in life our decisions and it also shows how a bad childhood can affect us turning people into villians for life.
It's great to see the developing of Bruce Willis character, his journey and self-awareness of who he really is and what is his role in a world where he can make a difference because he is different, like Samuel L. Jackson's character which is different also, but in the oposite way. The acting by both is very good.
I really liked the cinematography and if you keep focused there are some very interesting details during the film and I had some suspicions about what would happen in the end but I have to confess that I was surprised with that final revelation anyway.
I wonder why I've never heard much about this film before because I think it's very good and I really enjoyed it.
The last 10 minutes are perfect
After hearing this was one of (and according to some, the absolute) best movies M. Night has made, I thought it ought to be promising. What it turned out to be, to me, is a movie too fixated on its own uniqueness with a nice cinematography and obvious symbology, which also turned midway into a really predictable watch for me. Kind of disappointing.
Really dumb movie. Just plain bad. Doesn't even deserve words. Meh.
I think all of these people are currently watching in 2018 to keep up with the new part that just released in cinemas :D
I love it, fine cast.. better the second time around, great work from the director, definitely reality super heroes and villains and glad to see the universe expand in two more films but probably would of been better made back then..
Wonderful movie! It's unbelievable how Samuel L. Jackson can be amazing in every single movie he is in. Mr. Glass is one of the best villains ever, you don't even know that he is the villain until the end of movie, at least you can't be sure until the end. His motivations are solid and he's willing to give his life in order to prove that David Dunn has a gift. He is so fragile, can't even walk, but so clever and persuasive. Elijah is not an ordinary villain that just want to do the wrong thing simply because he is evil, Mr. Glass thinks that he is doing the best for poeple, doesn't even care about those who died because he is looking at the big picture.
You watch Unbreakable and you're like, "Hey, this director seems pretty promising, he's had two good hits in a row." Unbreakable is the only other M. Night film that I can actually feel emotion from. I mean it's not as powerful as the Sixth Sense, but it's still a great movie, even though it does have its flaws. For example, it seems as if his psychic abilities are to see if weapons on people, or to see if they've done something bad recently. Like, if he touches somebody, he can see if they stole something, or if they smuggled drugs. Basically, any bad things that someone's done. And I start to wonder if it's, like, a general sense of it being bad or if it's, like, his personal opinion. Selling drugs being bad is debatable, depending on what they are. But anyway, what the whole movie leads up to is this guy that, like, breaks into somebody else's house, kills the dad, and ties up all the girls in the house. But then he, like, goes to work, because he's a custodian and that's how he bumps into him. And I'm thinking, like, "Did you honestly just tie people up, and then go to work, and then come back from work, so you can go back to that house?" And then I start to think about how impractical that superpower is. I mean, how many people is he gonna run into that are in mid-crime, so that he can see that they've done something, but also there's time to save the day? It seems like he just has a superpower of hindsight. So, right after we see a pretty ingenious shot that I'm not even gonna explain, because you should just watch the movie, Bruce Willis steps outside, and then the killer guy was all like, "Ha ha!" And pushes them into the pool. And then Bruce Willis is all like, "Oh no! I'm afraid of water and I can't swim."And then the two girls that he untied, save him, and then Bruce Willis just goes back up stairs, and I guess he's lucky that this is the craziest person in the world, because not only did he not check to see if Bruce Willis had died, and if he just looked down, he would have seen those two girls saving him, but also didn't check to see if he untied those girls, which is something that I would do, if I was trying to balance my job and killing a family at the same time. He just kinda stands there, looking at the woman tied up, and spits beer on the carpet. This guy is the craziest person in the world. All in all, great movie.
Fave Quote ...
It's hard for many people to believe that there are extraordinary things inside themselves, as well as others. I hope you can keep an open mind.
Kinda confusing.
This is a very good and very different movie about the origins of a superhero. If you're expecting action from start to finish, this isn't the movie you're looking for. But if you want to watch a well told story about a family brought together by an incredible gift, this is a good place to start.
The interaction between Bruce Willis's character David Dunn and his son is the real highlight. His son's insistence on Dunn's super-abilities provides the funniest, scariest and most touching sequences of the entire film. This mood here is quiet and cautious; the dialogue is sparse, but every word seems required. Many complain about M. Night Shyamalan's need to give the viewers a surprise or twist ending, but it also endears him to many, especially fans of Hitchcock and Serling. Personally, this is an asset of his films as far as I'm concerned.
"Unbreakable" is a movie with two endings. One an extremely touching moment between Dunn and his son. The other is a revealing meeting between Dunn and Elijah (Samuel Jackson). My viewing of this movie on Blu-Ray provided a one sentence "Whatever happpened to..." at the very end of the film for both the Dunn and Elijah characters. I can't recall seeing that during the theatrical run but it was information that really wasn't needed and it detracted a bit from the ending.
I said "call me Mr. Glass!!!" Mothafucka! ..say WHAT again!!! I dare ya!!!
Great cast, great story, great ending. The only thing I didn't like was the forced 'artsy' camera work - especially towards the beginning when he got the comic book gift. No reason for that...
Now, off to watch the other two in the trilogy. ;-)
Theme song goes so hard it's outrageous.
You're based if this is one of your favourite movies. Undeniably brilliant stuff but for some reason doesn't inspire me quite like I want it to. Shyamalan showing he is the true goat once again though with a bold spectactle that was way ahead of its time.
I have watched this a few times now. It’s a good movie and I recommend watching the newer 4K version if you can. The added quality does help the viewing experience. Great story to set up the following movies in the series.
"Do you see any Teletubbies in here? No? ... This is an art gallery my friend, and this, is a piece of art!"
An interesting twist on the superhero genre. Unbreakable feels more like a realistic superhero origin story mixing drama, thriller and very little action. It's extremely slow and sometimes unexciting but the unique characters are what makes it worthwhile. They feel like characters right out of X-Men but attached to a more realistic and dramatic story which is why it feels so different. Mr. Glass is my favorite, I just though his character was more intriguing and entertaining. Love the message of finding your own identity, both our characters are going through it. The score was noteworthy, great acting, love the color palette (and lack of it at times), well-written and an epic twist I didn't see coming!
at the end of the movie "split" it is recognizable, that these movies are trilogies
1st "unbreakable" (https://trakt.tv/movies/unbreakable-2000),
2nd "split" (https://trakt.tv/movies/split-2016-11-15),
3rd "glass" https://trakt.tv/movies/glass-2019)
Drawn together like magnetic opposites, a pair of fundamentally different people try to make sense of the world and their distinct places within it. Bruce Willis plays the stoic, understated small-time security guard, sole survivor of a horrific train collision who can’t recall the last (first?) time he was sick or injured. Samuel L. Jackson is the feeble, outspoken socialite cursed with an extra-fragile set of bones, on the mend far more often than he’s not. Together, they agree that there seems to be some sort of innate balance to the world - that the shortcomings of one are directly responsible for the abundances of another - and that Jackson’s constant distress is a twisted galactic penance for Willis’s underutilized superpowers. Working together to test and refine this theory, they form an uneasy alliance, but the truth is destined to drive them apart.
Remember when M. Night Shyamalan was the freshest new voice in the business? Unbreakable arrived when that moment was at its fullest, just a year after the runaway success of The Sixth Sense and well before The Happening and The Last Airbender dropped his creative profile to rock bottom. Clearly the work of a longtime comic book reader, Unbreakable represents a darker, grittier, more cerebral interpretation of the superhero genre that hits closer to home than the early Marvel efforts of roughly the same period. The original X-Men was less than six months old when this hit theaters, with Spider-Man still almost two years in the future, but in retrospect, I think the modern Marvel franchise owes more to this Shyamalan jam than their more obvious ancestors. This is less of a glossy Saturday morning cartoon and more of a ground-up reinterpretation. A modernization of those fantastical themes to suit a more cynical age. It has its problems, to be sure - nagging little flaws and eccentricities that would eventually unravel the director’s entire tapestry - but the surrounding conflict is so smart, well-formed and engaging, I still find myself willing to let those go. Underrated and ahead of its time.
A slow-burn methodical drama telling the story of a man trying to find meaning in his life through a discovery of his superpower. Though labeled as 'superhero film', this film has none of the usual flick: no fast-paced action, quippy jokes, or comical heroism. Like Mr. Glass (Sam Jackson's character) says: it is like a real life. Film has excellent acting, family drama, and character interpersonal relationships woven into the plot seamlessly. It is a Shyamalan drama as per usual with the characters' superpower in the background - you don't even get to see plenty of superhero action until the last 15 minutes. And that's good.
Best part of the film is its slow build up revealing the final sequences: great lines and twists, just like Sam's comic book story has in the beginning of the film.
So good on so many levels! I can't believe I had never heard of this movie before! I started watching Glass and discovered it was the third movie in the series, so I went back and watched this and was blown away!
The acting is suburb. Bruce Willis is extremely understated in his portrayal of David Dunn. Samuel L. Jackson is, once again, great. The other actors were also fantastic.
I never saw the plot twist at the end, it totally caught me by surprise, although it probably shouldn't have.
Easily the best movie I've watch in quite some time! A 9 out of 10.
An interesting plot with a surprise ending. Suspenseful with an edge.
Great movie and even better it was part one of 3 movies. Split and Glass
Such an excellent movie. The ending gives me goosebumps to this day. "They called me Mr. Glass."
the concept behind this film and the way it's realised is insane. really really really good.
The Five Emojis of Unbreakable
:heart_eyes:
The camera gives us the viewpoint of the characters and swings back and forth between key points in a scene. It's ingenious camera work from the cinematographer.
The camera trickery is used sparingly, however, as a sort of extra seasoning, so it doesn't get in way of the story.
Overall, Unbreakable is a wonderful take on the superhero origin, with some great scenes displaying David discovering his powers while trying to figure out his past.
:smiley:
There's a dark and ominous feel to most of the film, setting it apart from other superhero themed films of the era.
Director and writer M. Night Shyamalan takes the classic comic book format and twists it into a creation of his own, giving us a beliavable and wholly original story while retaining the comic book feel.
Bruce Willis puts in a unusually low-key performance actually forcing him to utilize his expressive side.
Willis and Samuel L. Jackson play well off each other but Jackson is easily the the highest bidder here, in a wonderful and memorable part.
It's a superhero drama film without major action sequences or special effects, but the compelling characters, the mystery of the main plot and the camera work keep it interesting.
The soundtrack goes from barely existing to beautiful and heroic.
Spencer Treat Clark is great as well, particularly in the few tense dramatic moments.
The final twist turns things around and creates a powerful ending but isn't all that surprising.
:neutral_face:
We slowly learn more about David's past and the reason he is the way he is, but the story itself progresses very slowly and the script never truly reaches its main point.
The wonderful Robin Wright does well with the little material she is given.
The film finally takes off in the final act, but the climax feels unsatisfying and unrewarding
While it's a beautiful and original take on the comic book genre, it never takes of or does anything interesting with the assets it introduces.
:frowning2:
//
:face_vomiting:
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The Final Emoji: :smiley:
love this movie best classic
The movie is good. It's interesting and unique. It brings the idea of a superhero to real life. The uncertainty, the messiness, takes those first steps into recognition and action. But the ending drove me crazy. Not the big reveal, not so mich what happened, but how it happened. They summarize the ending in two sentences. They introduce his archenemy, and then two sentences to show his "defeat". Yes, it's all certainly part of Glass' plan but that doesn't make it any less frustrating. I kind of wanted more from the ending. His debate as to what to do, his sorrow and conflict seeing Glass arrested, something.
the story telling was spectacular.... and i was just amazed at the end...
remember ... "I heard this one has a surprise ending...."
loved this whole experience...
"They called me Mr. Glass." M. Night Shyamalan delivers a bold new vision in the suspense thriller Unbreakable. When David Dunn walks away unharmed, the sole survivor of a train wreck, a mysterious man proposes an incredible theory to explain David's miraculous survival. Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson lead the cast and deliver outstanding performances. And the writing is excellent, especially in how it mixes genres and creates compelling characters. A unique and captivating film, Unbreakable is riveting and full of intrigue.
What can i say? I love this movie.
Too slow , although it’s better then Split. If I have to hear one more person say James McAvoy is a genius actor I’ll scream. This is my favorite of all three in the trilogy
I remember when I first saw this movie years ago, I really loved it and oddly it didn't seem to be popular for some reason.
It is a shame because, I think this movie sadly came out ahead of it's time.. I have no doubt that if this movie were to come out in 2019, it would've made a much much much bigger impact, on the other hand I like the fact that I am one of the few people who watched it, and I have the chance to share my passion for this movie with my friends and make them discover it for their first time (only had positive feedbacks so far).
1 / 2 directing & technical aspect
1 / 1 story
1 / 1 act I
1 / 1 act II
1 / 1 act III
1 / 1 acting
0 / 1 writing
1 / 1 originality
0 / 1 stays with you
0 / 1 misc
7 out of 10
Great idea, Great everything, but bad editing ruined it all.
Good movie, but SO SLOW! UGH!
They build tension in this movie a little too long, but for the ending +1. ;>
Definitely an unique take on the superhero movie. It's slow and grounded and we hardly see any action. Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson are both great. I'm looking forward to seeing more of David Dunn and Mr. Glass in Glass.
Having never seen Unbreakable, but hearing the tie-in to Split and seeing the trailers for Mr. Glass I knew it was a must watch.
As you enter this movie you immediately get the sense that something isn't quite normal with David Dunn (Bruce Willis). The movie starts with a comic book obsessed, Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson) reaching out to David with an unlikely explanation of what has transpired.
As you watch on through the movie, you stay engaged, and enticed, to continue and figure out who's wrong.
Having seen most major superhero movies in the last 10 years (Marvel/DC movies, Split, Defendor, Push...to name a few) before having seen this from 2000, I was pleasantly surprised at how well it held up the test of time.
Unbreakable isn't a must see, but is definitely towards the top of my recommended super hero movies, especially with the 3rd in the series being released next year.
All in all, if you enjoy less blatant super hero movies, Unbreakable is a must watch. Otherwise, I'd recommend it if you enjoyed Split and want to see where that universe goes.
Great actors for a pretty disappointing and slow "superhero" movie.
This is a magnificent. A raw, perfect, dark tone superhero movie. And it's score is top notch . Everything is soo perfect in this movie . Night just pulled off a movie meeting everyone's expectation.
Normalizing superheroes, this seemed to be M. Night Shyamalan's approach to this movie, so the movie begins with establishing the ordinary (and excruciatingly slow paced) life of David Dunn. Then it cumulatively introduces the extraordinary elements. I originally saw this movie when it was first came out and remember being unimpressed (even though my expectations would have been heightened by a cast I admired). This week's discovery that it was meant to be the first of a superhero (Shyamalan style) trilogy and that SPLIT was it's sequel which send me back to revisit it (the finally chapter, GLASS, will come out in 2019). In retrospect, now knowing that he was laying a foundation, a philosophy, so to speak, changes my analysis slightly. It still should have moved more quickly and I question whether a minimalistic musical score was the best choice (there were many scenes with no dialogue and a heightened silence that, in my estimation, slowed down the movie down and robbed the Thriller of Thrills). Good performances. Interesting premise. Smooth idea of gradually revealing the extraordinary. But, too slow for me. I give it a 6 (fair) out of 10. [Genesis of a Superhero]
The balance has shifted, it has been written. ☺️⚪⚫
Interestingly enough, I watched Split last year before realising Unbreakable was the prequel. The pacing is unnecessary slow at times as is Shyamalan's M.O but they are both good films overall. I look forward to Glass (hopefully it will be the closing masterpiece of this trilogy).
6.8/10 i was waiting to see more from this one.
Black And White Factor of the two main characters is uncanny!
a lot of things can be said about Shyamalan but to be honest this is one of the best films you will see, the storytelling is amazing and the direction of the movie a pure masterpiece by Shyamalan
Misteriosa y personalmente para mi extraña, pero mantiene los elementos que hicieron tan especial al Sexto Sentido y repite ha su protagonista.
Completely different than recent superhero movies . This isn't a bad thing, I really liked it. Also Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson did an amazing job on their parts.
I see this as a handicap :-/
Probably the best superhero movie ever
Not really good movie, pretty boring most of the time. I liked the surprise ending though.
Shout by Galileo5BlockedParent2017-05-21T16:04:36Z
So understated, so subtle. Yet so powerful. What a masterpiece this is. Without a doubt the best superhero movie ever made. You ask 50 people what their favorite superhero movie is, Unbreakable will probably not even be mentioned. But that 51st person, the one who says "Unbreakable", that's the one who really knows about movies.