Did anyone else notice that this film was the one that marked Shyamalan's end in the way of any sort of credibility? First, it was this, an odd film that was something of a disappointment. Then, he unleashed "Lady in the Water" on us; we couldn't tell if that was disappointing or what (in fact, I still have no idea why that movie exists). And then, as his final goodbye wave, came the atrocious "The Happening". He should have stopped at "Signs".
This film is one which depends on its final five minutes for you to make your opinion of it. The beginning is intriguing. There's much ambiguous exposition, and you are left to piece together an interesting if not remarkably enthralling puzzle. The rest of the film basically hinges on a plot twist that comes in the third act, and meanders almost painfully. It takes a sharp left turn and turns into a superhero movie before devolving into downright absurd. That plot twist that should have been so important is ultimately squandered by the time we get there (oh, by the way...it sucks).
The film plays with all sorts of comic-book folklore and startlingly unsubtle symbolism, but, to be frank, none of it's very interesting. We get it. Bruce Willis is "Unbreakable", he's the hero. And there's Samuel L. Jackson, who's really fragile. They're counterparts. But Shyamalan seems to hammer this across, and it's just not enough to hold up for two hours. A disappointing misfire.