paulomatsui

If the producers had managed to keep studio executives from cramming every twist and major plot point into the trailer (and in order, no less), the film's already thin mystery might have held up for at least half its runtime.

But since we've seen the trailer-and already know this isn't just an action movie but a mix of supernatural, romance, buddy comedy, and 'save-the-world' subplots all happening at once - there's barely anything left to surprise us. It's one of those films you half-watch while scrolling through your phone.

Unfortunately, the talents of two great actors are completely wasted. Their characters are so flat and two-dimensional that honestly, any random YA pretty face from Twilight or The Maze Runner could have replaced them with no real impact on the film.

Trust the overwhelming majority of 6-star rating here. The suspiciously high 7+ reviews mostly come from brand-new accounts or "reviewers" who consistently rate mediocre movies an 8 or higher. I actually took the time to check the first five or six profiles, and the pattern was obvious.

Lastly, I really hope this current trend of making everything as visually dark as possible fades soon. It became a problem with Game of Thrones' final season, and The Gorge seems to have taken a page from that book. The imagery is so murky that we had to crank up every brightness-related setting on our TV just to see what was happening.

I'm honestly baffled by the negativity surrounding this film. It's a solid, entertaining watch with plenty of engaging moments and an intriguing plot. Coming from the mind of Mr. Shyamalan, it's even more compelling.

The movie keeps you on your toes, constantly shifting from one suspenseful scenario to the next. It's more of a 'whodunit' focused on the evolving situations and character interactions rather than a traditional mystery with multiple suspects.

I watched it with my 17-year-old daughter, and she was completely captivated by the premise and characters - because she has less experience in analyzing film tropes, she was able to immerse herself in the story.

Sure, there are a few minor flaws and moments that might stretch credulity, but those are par for the course in any film.

Overall, it's a well-crafted piece that deserves more appreciation.

If it wasn't for the singing soundtrack this would EASILY be a 9/10.

It's a solid 8. Beautifully drawn, filled with intricate details, amazing lighting and awesome colors throughout.

And in our current time of rehash, franchises, live action of old cartoons, and mostly non-original reinterpretations of old classics in movies, this original gem is even more rewarding.

Also what pulls your eyes and attention is the beauty and care put into making these drawings - they're truly magnificent and poetic.

On the other hand, the music sang in key parts of the movie is like a rowdy kid kicking you chair from behind. Or a loudmouth talking over key scenes, distracting and pulling you out of this otherwise beautiful watching experience.

We were lucky to watch at home, where we could lower the volume during the songs. But I tell you: the songs are terribly bad.

So otherwise terrible bad songs, it's a unique and refreshingly original story told in a crafty, exquisite, emotional way.

Did I mention the singing sucks?