Glass

[Hashi Lebwohl]

A long-standing hypothesis of movies, shared by many fans of movies and critics alike, is that sequels are, for the most part, not as good as the original movie. Usually this is because casting changes have occurred, the producers hired a different director to take the franchise in a different direction, the quality of the screenplay and/or directing does not rise to the level of the original movie, or the screenwriters painted themselves into a corner and they cannot move forward without ridiculous retcons or plot twists which make no sense.

Fortunately, Glass suffers from none of these shortcomings, making it a rare sequel which is just as good--some might even say better--when compared to its original movie. I never did manage to see Split, so I missed out on the full story between Kevin/The Horde/The Beast and Casey, but even without seeing it you aren't really left completely in the dark, presuming you know anything about Split at all, such as what the actress looks like and who her character is.

Shyamalan seems to have learned from his previous errors and isn't doing the whole "shocking plot twist which reframes the entire movie" thing anymore, which is probably a good thing--it worked the first two or three times but now it isn't new or refreshing any more. He also seems to have gotten over the adolescent "let's make the movie about me" schtick--see Lady in the Water to have that rubbed in your face. The movie does make you think a little about just who qualifies as "the good guy" and "the bad guy", though, so it definitely has that going for it.

Yes, some tropes still exist such as obvious use of color--David is green (often a life-affirming color), Kevin is yellow (used heavily in Hindu religious ceremonies), Elijah is purple (a color associated with majesty or royalty) but no movie can exist entirely without tropes.

All things considered, this is a movie worth seeing--it has stayed at the top of the box office returns for several weeks now, but some of that may also have to do with the pathetic movie offerings which are out right now. Still, I advise seeing it.

[peter]

I saw Glass on the big screen Hashi, shortly after my having rewatched the two earlier episodes at home. I posted somewhere else about how much I as enjoyed Split - but only on this second viewing , when seeing it in context with the first film Unbreakable. The first time when I saw it not knowing that it was a follow up (it wasn't made clear in the film's pre-release promotion) I thought it ok - but nothing special. It was only when I returned prior to the release of Glass that it actually gelled for me.

The reason I have not posted on Glass up to now is that I'm hoping that the same will occur when I rewatch it in due course at home. I'm afraid I have to say that on first viewing I was disappointed. It was intelligent thoughtful superhero film making, and gave clues of a universe out there waiting to be explored - but I think this might be it's saving grace. I need to see it again in order to try to tie up loose ends and pull it all together and to work out - is there actually another film in the sequence coming, or was that actually the end? To my shame, I blew before the end credits had completed rolling, so if there was a clue to the answer of this question in the form of a final post-credit scene then I missed it and have only myself to blame. If the answer is in the film itself then either I am too obtuse to have 'got it' on first viewing - or the film is truly too vague in it's clue presentation for the story to fall into place in a satisfying way. All of which is to say I still have questions - and if that is the end of the story then I shouldn't have! I'm looking forward to seeing the film again because I'm damn sure that the fault is in me rather than the film - but I need to confirm this by sorting it all out. I have a feeling that once I've done this then I'm going to come back here and say how good it is - but for now I simply can't.

(One further point to make here is that the viewing experience I had was marred by the inconsiderate behaviour of many other people in the cinema, who talked, used their mobile phones, banged my seat from behind, ate popcorn and generally behaved as if they were the only ones present in the auditorium throughout the whole showing. I'm sad to say this, but I shelled out the best part of thirty bucks to be in that cinema and it will never happen again. I will never go to a cinema to see a film again and the world becomes less than it was.)

[Skyweir]

I am so looking forward to seeing this loved Split and Unbreakable was ok. As its the next chapter, so to speak .. Im going to watch U and Split to refresh myself and hopefully pick up links I may have missed.

Very excite.

[Hashi Lebwohl]

I saw Glass on the big screen Hashi, shortly after my having rewatched the two earlier episodes at home. I posted somewhere else about how much I as enjoyed Split - but only on this second viewing , when seeing it in context with the first film Unbreakable. The first time when I saw it not knowing that it was a follow up (it wasn't made clear in the film's pre-release promotion) I thought it ok - but nothing special. It was only when I returned prior to the release of Glass that it actually gelled for me.

No one knew that Split was going to be set in the same world--the same city, in fact--as Unbreakable. David Dunn's appearance in the epilogue was a surprise to almost everyone, likely making Split the first "stealth sequel" in cinema history.

is there actually another film in the sequence coming, or was that actually the end? To my shame, I blew before the end credits had completed rolling, so if there was a clue to the answer of this question in the form of a final post-credit scene then I missed it and have only myself to blame.

No one knows at this time whether there will by any other films set in that world--the characters from Unbreakable are owned/licensed by Touchsone Pictures (which is owned by Disney) and the characters from Split are owned/licensed by Blumhouse Productions (owned by Universal Pictures, which is owned by NBC Universal). Moving forward, attempts to use Joseph and Ms. Price (her first name is never given, if I recall) as well as Casey would necessitate having to have both studios sign off again. Possible, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for that.

There is no mid-credit or post-credit scene.

The true genius of this film, though, is the possibility that this world now presents. How many others will manifest or make themselves known?

[peter]

Have no fear Hashi, the Unbreakable story is not yet over for me! I'll revisit the thread in due course with my (second viewing) thoughts.