There's a level of intimacy which writer & director, M. Night Shyamalan, has brought to his previous films. At its' core, Unbreakable, told the story of David Dunn & Elijah Price. Price convincing Dunn he was a being of extraordinary means & how that truth affected David & his family. Split, while large with a character with multiple personalities, was still an imitate story at its core. Telling the story of Kevin Crumb, the man of a many faces, and his journey of self-discovery. While also kidnapping three teenagers girls in the process. One told the story of the hero and another the story of the villain. Both intimate in their deliverance & narrative.
Back in 2017. Split shocked moviegoers alike when it was revealed to be set in the same universe as 2000's Unbreakable. Glass, serves an as amalgamation sequel to both films. Pitting together the hero and the villain of both its predecessors. In the film, Dunn is hunting The Horde only to have his hunt come do a sudden halt when both are transferred to a psychiatric hospital to be studied and convinced they are nothing more than human.
I have a lot of respect to Shyamalan for crafting the sequel out of cinematic means we have yet to see. Creating a full film to build up the hero and another for the villain. Though, unlike its predecessors, this is the first film in the trilogy to be opened up wide. It is in that truth which lies the biggest issue for the film. David Dunn now runs a security system with his son, played by Spencer Treat Clark. While Kevin Crumb has a Stockholm syndrome-riden Casey Crosse, played by Anya Taylor-Joy. Elijah Price still has a strong relationship with his mother, played by Charlayne Woodard. All these stories are tied together by Dr. Ellie Staple, played by Sarah Paulson.
For the majority, these characters really don’t serve a purpose to the overall plot. The Dunn duo are given a purpose within the first act, but nothing really else until the third act. Ms. Price unfortunately falls victim to this as well. Casey Cooke, I will say adds an interesting layer to this film and she may be the only useful secondary character within the film. Serving once again as the emotional backbone of the film.
Given how heavy Split dove deep into the psychological nature of its film's subjects; that same voice carries over nicely here. The tone of both its predecessors actually marry nicely within the world of Glass. As do the performances. Bruce Willis, James McAvoy, Samuel L. Jackson & Anya Taylor-Joy rounds out a beautiful ensemble of a cast. All devoted to strong and emotional performances.
Overall, Glass, is a bit broken at times. Beautifully blending together the super heroics of Unbreakable with horror of Split. With a strong ensemble from veterans like Willis, Jackson & McAvoy - Glass does have its beauty. Though it does sacrifice some of the more remarkable qualities of its predecessors in favor of a more vast lore. This venture actually damages the film quite a bit. Altogether, the glass for this one, is indeed half full.
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