SIGNS Analyzed & Explained - Movie Review

Summary

This video script provides a detailed analysis of M. Night Shyamalan's *Signs*, addressing common criticisms and exploring its deeper themes. The review focuses on the family’s emotional journey as they face an alien invasion, using faith and fate as central elements. The reviewer defends the film's unique approach to storytelling, including the use of water as a vulnerability to the aliens and the limited perspective from the family’s point of view. Ultimately, the script argues that *Signs* is less about the aliens and more about personal redemption, making it a moving, relatable story.

Takeaways

• 😀 The alien in the pantry scene is plausible; it shows how creatures can struggle to break through barriers without advanced technology or weapons.
• 😀 The film focuses on a limited perspective, presenting events from one family's point of view, which increases the sense of terror and confusion for the audience.
• 😀 Complaints about water being harmful to the aliens are addressed by suggesting that the creatures may have never encountered water before, making it a toxic unknown element.
• 😀 The aliens' rapid retreat after only three days on Earth shows their desperation, indicating that they may not have been fully prepared for the planet's conditions.
• 😀 The movie's core themes are about faith, redemption, and family rather than focusing solely on the alien invasion.
• 😀 Water is used symbolically in the film, representing holiness and purification, aligning with the movie's broader spiritual themes.
• 😀 The crop circles are a means of navigation for the aliens, not just an invasion tactic, and the aliens seem to be moving between them for survival purposes.
• 😀 Despite the confusion, the movie’s ending suggests a return to faith for the main character, Graham, reinforcing the theme of personal and spiritual healing.
• 😀 Complaints about the plot inconsistencies are often rooted in misunderstanding, as the film intentionally withholds information, increasing its mystery and suspense.
• 😀 The reviewer emphasizes that the film isn’t about grand alien invasions but about a family working through personal loss and rebuilding after tragedy.
• 😀 *Signs* is a film about how individuals cope with fear and loss, with the alien invasion acting as a catalyst for deeper emotional and spiritual growth.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the film *Signs* according to the review?

The main theme of *Signs* is about faith—losing it and regaining it. It's also about a family working through their issues and trying to survive an alien invasion, with the movie focusing on personal growth and redemption.

How does the reviewer explain the alien's behavior in the pantry scene?

The reviewer argues that the alien's escape from the pantry is logical. The alien, although injured and missing fingers, would have been able to break through the pantry door because it's a living creature, and the door wasn't impenetrable. The reviewer also points out that aliens used crop circles for navigation and likely headed to the nearest house.

What is the significance of water in *Signs*?

Water is a symbol of holiness and purification in *Signs*. The aliens' vulnerability to water is central to the story, as it ties into the idea of cleansing and renewal, which parallels the main character's journey of regaining faith.

Why does the reviewer believe that the aliens' weakness to water makes sense?

The reviewer suggests that the aliens might have never encountered water before, which could make it toxic to them. This is supported by the idea that the aliens didn't come to Earth for the planet, but rather to harvest humans, and were unprepared for Earth's elements.

How does the reviewer respond to complaints about the aliens' weakness to water?

The reviewer defends the idea that the aliens' weakness to water is plausible by suggesting that they may have never experienced it before. Additionally, the water doesn't need to be fully understood in the film because the focus is on the family’s struggle and faith.

What is the importance of the crop circles in the film?

The crop circles are essential for the aliens' navigation system. The reviewer explains that the aliens used these circles to find their way on Earth, and their apparent avoidance of water can be linked to the difficulty of making crop circles in wet conditions.

What does the reviewer think about the audience's reaction to the film's twists, especially the water plot point?

The reviewer believes that many complaints, particularly about the water plot twist, are unwarranted. They argue that the film is told from the perspective of one family, so the audience is only given the information they know, which adds to the suspense and confusion.

How does the film portray the aliens' desperation?

The reviewer points out that the aliens are desperate, which is evident when they leave behind their wounded. The creatures are not invincible; they are shown to be a race struggling for survival, and their quick retreat suggests fear and desperation.

What role does Graham's faith play in the story?

Graham's faith is central to the narrative. Initially, he has lost his faith after the death of his wife, but through the events of the alien invasion and the survival of his son, Graham regains his belief. The moment of realization, where he understands his purpose and the significance of his wife's last words, is crucial for his character arc.

What is the significance of Graham's epiphany when he recalls Colleen's last words?

Graham's epiphany, when he recalls his wife’s last words, 'tell Graham to see and tell Merrill to swing away,' is a pivotal moment in the film. It symbolizes his realization that everything happens for a reason, including the seemingly random events leading up to the alien invasion, which ultimately ties into his regaining faith.