GLASS Spoiler-Free Review; "[It] Should Make Fans Of UNBREAKABLE And SPLIT Very Happy"
M. Night Shyamalan's Unbreakable and Split sequel is now in theaters but is this unexpected (yet still long overdue) team-up really worth your time? Find our verdict on the movie after the jump...
Despite not being based on a comic book, Unbreakable is widely considered one of the best superhero movies of all-time. Split, meanwhile, was a solid enough psychological thriller which just so happened to take place in the same world thanks to an unexpected end-credits scene which left the internet reeling. So, can bringing these "franchises" together for a team-up of sorts really work? It just so happens that it does and in a way which should make fans of both movies very happy indeed.
Glass is set three years after the events of Split and a good fifteen years or more after Unbreakable. Despite that, it takes no time at all to get reacquainted with David Dunn's world and where we find him here feels...right. Honestly, it's hard to say much at all without delving into spoiler territory but M. Night Shyamalan's screenplay is solid from start to finish and while the filmmaker's patented big twist is bound to be divisive, it's also going to leave viewers with a lot to talk about for a very long time to come. Ultimately, it feels like the filmmaker chose to end this story in a way he saw fit regardless of what fans wanted and that's really all we can ask from an honest storyteller. No matter where you land on loving or hating it, having Dunn, Kevin, and Mr. Glass all share the screen at the same time is wonderfully effective and leads to some moments you definitely won't forget.
While James McAvoy was excellent in Split, he really gets the chance to unleash here, showing off an even wider array of personalities and stealing the show in every single scene he's in. Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson also pick up right where they left off and inhabit these characters every bit as much as their other iconic roles (John McClane and Nick Fury are obviously two of the most noteworthy examples). Series newcomer Sarah Paulson is absolutely fantastic too and as she has a far more significant amount of screentime than Anya Taylor-Joy, meaning she's Glass' female lead. Well, we're lucky to have her as she brings a lot to this movie and stands out in an otherwise male-dominated cast.
As a package, Glass works really well. The performances are strong and it's great fun from start to finish with some unexpected moments and a twist which, as I mentioned, is bound to split opinion. The three leads chew the scenery and shine when on screen together but the biggest downside here is perhaps the final act. Budget constraints mean a finale which is teased from fairly early on never becomes a reality. Things also start to get a little convoluted and rushed at this point and it's hard not to think back to big comic book events and the way they so often wrap up with a final issue which doesn't quite live up to what's come before. Ultimately, though, this really is more a little more enjoyable than Unbreakable and a movie which finally takes full advantage of Split's clever premise.
Well worth checking out, Glass may not be the Unbreakable sequel some fans were hoping for but it definitely doesn't disappoint and is an absolute blast.