It starts off half-full and ends up half-empty.
I know people will be salvaging to see “Glass” this opening weekend. I found myself enjoying most of the movie, and came close to recommending it, but I had to go against it, because it practically serves as a hate crime for superheroes. Meaning: it has to feature the annoying assumption that the world is better off without superheroes and villains. I understand their reasons, but it still annoys me.
For those of you unfamiliar, “Glass” is the final chapter of a superhero trilogy, which began with “Unbreakable” and “Split,” all of which were written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. I’m not talking about “The Avengers” or “Justice League;” I’m talking about people with unique abilities, who base their powers on comic books.
“Unbreakable” introduced us to David Dunn (Bruce Willis), a security guard, who can see other people’s previous crimes by touching their skin, and Elijah Price, better known as Mr. Glass (Samuel L. Jackson), who suffers from a brittle bone disease, which leads him on countless injuries. He was the one who caused the train accident, which David survived. And “Split” introduced us to Kevin Wendell Crumb (James McAvoy), a man with multiple personalities from a 9-year-old to his most devious persona: the Beast.
The movie starts off entertaining with David and his son Joseph (Spencer Treat Clark) running a security store, while the father continues his vigilante work; and when Kevin abducts 4 cheerleaders and chains them in an abandoned factory, where he prepares to introduce them to the Beast. David comes to their rescue and battles Kevin, but the two get arrested and locked in a mental asylum, the same place where Elijah resides.
Sarah Paulson plays a psychiatrist named Dr. Ellie Staple, who examines the three, and does everything in her power to convince them they’re not superheroes. Even if it means water (David’s weakness) and flashing lights (Kevin’s weakness). And while she isn’t examining them, she deals with their loved ones: Elijah’s mother (Charlayne Woodard), who tells her Elijah was no mistake; Joseph, who tries and fails to convince Staple his father is the good guy; and Casey Cooke (Anya Taylor-Joy), who survived Kevin’s attacks, due to them being both abused victims.
“Glass” resonates with “The Avengers” in the ways it brings three characters together, as well as their loved ones, and we, the audience, are eager to find out what goes down. The performances from McAvoy, Willis, and Jackson are still amazing, the first half hour is entertaining, and the emotions are pure. And I especially love the art direction, mainly in the hospital rooms, and the patients’ clothing, which match with the scope. This is attractive.
But unfortunately, Shyamalan has to disappoint us with how the movie turns out. It has to deal with a superhero hate crime (at least that’s how I see it), the doesn’t delve into their motives (although I did eat up the twists), and its conclusion is depressing. I’m not talking about “Avengers: Infinity War” depressing, but more like “Star Wars: Episode III” depressing. You’ll find out what I mean.
I know you all way to check it out, and whether I liked it or not, I won’t spoil anything for you. But I can tell you this: you probably will be mixed about it.
⭐️⭐️1/2
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