I really dont get it! - The Happening (2008) Discussion

[–] Lunchbox-3 12 years ago

How? They explained how in the movie. The plants are releasing a toxin into the air that affects peoples' brains and makes them want to kill themselves. Although I suppose it still leaves the question of the toxin being carried by wind currents that the plants apparently somehow control and send after specific people. Wind currents that you can see and, on a good day, outrun.

Deeper than that? Like how they tell us about dead fishermen and all the bees in North America vanishing and never tell us why, or how it's relevant to the story? "It's a mystery of science and we'll never understand it." That's a hell of an explanation. I do like the theory about this movie being a comedy, it's actually the best theory yet to explain what I just saw.

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[–] edm18 12 years ago

True. Nothing is really explained in the movie. Yes, people speculate, and I think the audience is left to do the same. My opinion about the bee's, or at least why they are relevant to the film. Sine one of the main functions of bee's in nature is to pollinate plants, if humans are causing the bee population to die off in mass quantities, it could explain why the plants sent out the so called warning shot.

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[–] Thirdover4 12 years ago

WE ARE THE PROBLEM. That's all you need to know. At the end of the film, instead of showing the scientist explain the film, they should have just had the director talking directly to the camera with the caption, "And now, a very important message from Director M. Night Shyamalan." He could talk for twenty minutes and chastize the audience for existing and hurting the trees.

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[–] 3PocketCharlie 12 years ago

It's a monster movie where nature is the monster.

All glory to the Hypnotoad

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[–] Baxteritis 10 years ago

"And now, a very important message from Director M. Night Shyamalan." He could talk for twenty minutes and chastize the audience for existing and hurting the trees.

He should have spanked the audience for even going to see the movie in the first place.

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[–] yusef-ghanima 10 years ago

it has nothing to do with environment and trees, it's about suicide bombings.

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[–] Lester_Burnham_Risen 10 years ago

it has nothing to do with environment and trees, it's about suicide bombings.

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yes, that is the conclusion Night infuses into the characters [and most of the viewers]

you will recall lots of references to "what kind of terrorists ARE these" [when man puts arm in lion's mouth].

so in a way it is simply SATIRE on the american LOVE of blood and killing - so Night "twists" that love by J Doe killing hirself, thus causing almost comedic indecision in the viewer in hir post 9/11 terror induced state.

and yes also the TV anchor man when all is over takes the part of J Doe to say "surely this could not be blamed on US? - if it Happeninged in another country then maybe, but not for we plant and animal loving people of america [puts hand on heart and salutes the flag].

then same in Paris

very clever movie and IMHO the BEST in his 9/11 cycle

http://www.kindleflippages.com/ablog/

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[–] yusef-ghanima 10 years ago

his 9/11 cycle! great, i thought that i was the only one who could see it, i though night himself couldn't!

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[–] Lester_Burnham_Risen 10 years ago

i thought that i was the only one who could see it

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Night realizes that the only way to get through to HELPING americans becoming Americans again is NOT by doing documentaries [we saw what happened to Michael Moore] but by devising cunning little stories showing americans as actual PEOPLE [doing exactly as americans DO] and not as fake Hollywood caricatures.

of course that entails a certain amount of "taking the piss" but as americans don't understand when they are HAVING the piss taken it makes them even more confused which in turn causes anger and lashing out at the one trying to save them.

this is typical Stockholm Syndrome and The Happening shows this perhaps best of all his 9/11 cycle movies.

he gave the message in LITW via Maggies Farm that he was done with all the trying and like Dylan and his song was going to move ON to other things, but he "came out of retirement" for one more with this movie and was given clearance to shed his 13+ classification by the studio and did he ever have a ball [watch the DVD extras].

http://www.kindleflippages.com/ablog/

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[–] yusef-ghanima 10 years ago

i find it too in his last one, after earth, although it's more of a smith movie, but night put some of his stuff there.

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[–] Lester_Burnham_Risen 10 years ago

sorry, not seen that one yet - so thanks for the info

http://www.kindleflippages.com/ablog/

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[–] intotrance 10 years ago

Night realizes that the only way to get through to HELPING americans becoming Americans again is NOT by doing documentaries [we saw what happened to Michael Moore] but by devising cunning little stories showing americans as actual PEOPLE [doing exactly as americans DO] and not as fake Hollywood caricatures.

He was obviously very succesful in this endeavor. I've seen all of his movies except for After Earth: know how many times I thought about 9/11 or how much of a sheeple I was before, during, or after them? None.

My eyes weren't opened to anything except a few two hour movies that were entertaining, modern-day fairy tales.

I'd wager that that is the same for 98% of the audience who watched his movies and that the 2% is comprised of fellow racists, bigots, obscurists and conspiracy theorists such as yourself, Lester. Someone needs to take the internet away from you and do us all a favor.

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[–] Duncan_Idaho02 10 years ago

Agreed Intotrance. Lester is an extremely bigoted and hate filled person. He also has limited ability to grasp simple concepts.

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[–] Duncan_Idaho02 10 years ago

it has nothing to do with environment and trees, it's about suicide bombings.

---

yes, that is the conclusion Night infuses into the characters [and most of the viewers]

you will recall lots of references to "what kind of terrorists ARE these" [when man puts arm in lion's mouth].

so in a way it is simply SATIRE on the american LOVE of blood and killing - so Night "twists" that love by J Doe killing hirself, thus causing almost comedic indecision in the viewer in hir post 9/11 terror induced state.

and yes also the TV anchor man when all is over takes the part of J Doe to say "surely this could not be blamed on US? - if it Happeninged in another country then maybe, but not for we plant and animal loving people of america [puts hand on heart and salutes the flag].

then same in Paris

very clever movie and IMHO the BEST in his 9/11 cycle

The ignorance you display is immeasurable.

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[–] Rad_Robot_V 10 years ago

The message is that you must remember to water your plants.

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[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] aghil-taghia 9 years ago

I went through hoops to register on IMDB and be able to reply, only to tell you that you're not alone.

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[–] manjodude 7 years ago

Sorry I feel compelled to say few of 'em seemed to have been high when they replied to your question.

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