'My biggest fear in life, is to be average' M. Night Shyamalan - Well, you've got no worries there, mate!
Split is a 2016 American psychological horror/thriller, written and directed by the mighty, M. Night Shyamalan and starring, James McAvoy.
I seem to have gained a new habit recently, which is standing me in good stead when it comes to movies - I watch the trailer once and then I watch the film, I don't do any sort of research up front anymore, so my opinion isn't swayed either way and I am so glad I didn't read anything at all about this film, because the surprise at the end made us actually squeal and clap in the cinema.
The film tells the story of Kevin, a guy who has 23 separate personalities inhabiting his body - we only get to see a small number of them but that's definitely enough nut jobs for one movie.
The main focus is Dennis (one of the 23) who kidnaps three girls and takes them back to his home and locks them away.
The problem I have here, is that because its an M Night Shyamalan movie, I can't talk anymore about the story, as it will just ruin it. So I'll talk about what a genius he is and how James McAvoy took my breath away, with his ridiculously phenomenal acting range.
People are saying MNS is back on form etc but I don't think he ever stopped being on form, the man is a revelation and always will be. I would love to just spend 5 minutes picking his brain, because not only does he write some seriously fucked up shit, but from his 'blink and you'll miss him' cameos, he seems like a really funny guy.
Split has the usual twists and turns we expect from him and to be fair, like all of his films, it does take a turn down Ridiculous Street, for a short while, but the twists and turns are resolved, as usual, in a way you just don't see coming.
The theme of abuse running through this movie is very unsettling but, sadly, its a fact of life for so many people and this film is exploring the possible long term effects, in spectacular fashion.
The film is masterfully written and beautifully shot, with migraine inducing tumbling camera movements, reminiscent of the opening credits of 'Irreversible', the basement setting and dull lighting for the majority of the film, does its job perfectly in making you feel slightly claustrophobic - the whole movie is sensory overload, without being a colourful splash of happiness; its amazing.
James McAvoy, as we all know, is a fantastically versatile actor, but this was next level. There was a moment that I audibly gasped in the cinema as he transitioned from one personality to the other and with one, barely visible facial movement, he goes from flamboyant gay man to evil psycho and you feel it like a kick in the teeth.
Besides the scary shit, there were some genuinely laugh out loud moments that serve as a tension breaker, for a few seconds - believe me, its a welcome break.
This movie is not for the faint hearted or the easily offended, but please, just take someone to hold your hand and watch it anyway.
Split is a 2016 American psychological horror/thriller, written and directed by the mighty, M. Night Shyamalan and starring, James McAvoy.
I seem to have gained a new habit recently, which is standing me in good stead when it comes to movies - I watch the trailer once and then I watch the film, I don't do any sort of research up front anymore, so my opinion isn't swayed either way and I am so glad I didn't read anything at all about this film, because the surprise at the end made us actually squeal and clap in the cinema.
The film tells the story of Kevin, a guy who has 23 separate personalities inhabiting his body - we only get to see a small number of them but that's definitely enough nut jobs for one movie.
The main focus is Dennis (one of the 23) who kidnaps three girls and takes them back to his home and locks them away.
The problem I have here, is that because its an M Night Shyamalan movie, I can't talk anymore about the story, as it will just ruin it. So I'll talk about what a genius he is and how James McAvoy took my breath away, with his ridiculously phenomenal acting range.
People are saying MNS is back on form etc but I don't think he ever stopped being on form, the man is a revelation and always will be. I would love to just spend 5 minutes picking his brain, because not only does he write some seriously fucked up shit, but from his 'blink and you'll miss him' cameos, he seems like a really funny guy.
Split has the usual twists and turns we expect from him and to be fair, like all of his films, it does take a turn down Ridiculous Street, for a short while, but the twists and turns are resolved, as usual, in a way you just don't see coming.
The theme of abuse running through this movie is very unsettling but, sadly, its a fact of life for so many people and this film is exploring the possible long term effects, in spectacular fashion.
The film is masterfully written and beautifully shot, with migraine inducing tumbling camera movements, reminiscent of the opening credits of 'Irreversible', the basement setting and dull lighting for the majority of the film, does its job perfectly in making you feel slightly claustrophobic - the whole movie is sensory overload, without being a colourful splash of happiness; its amazing.
James McAvoy, as we all know, is a fantastically versatile actor, but this was next level. There was a moment that I audibly gasped in the cinema as he transitioned from one personality to the other and with one, barely visible facial movement, he goes from flamboyant gay man to evil psycho and you feel it like a kick in the teeth.
Besides the scary shit, there were some genuinely laugh out loud moments that serve as a tension breaker, for a few seconds - believe me, its a welcome break.
This movie is not for the faint hearted or the easily offended, but please, just take someone to hold your hand and watch it anyway.