Glass - A Dull Ending To A 19-Year Trilogy

Certificate – 15

Directed By – M. Night Shyamalan

Starring – James McAvoy, Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, Sarah Paulson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlayne Woodard.

Running Time – 129 Minutes (2 Hours 9 Minutes)

★★✩✩✩

Glass is the final part of M. Night Shyamalan’s comic book trilogy that started 19 years ago with Unbreakable and then Split in 2016 to close the story. This is also my first time I’ve ever watched a Shyamalan movie, wish it was a better experience.

The synopsis for this movie is very long and sort of confusing, but basically Glass sees superpower beings David Dunn (Willis), who’s kept the streets of Philadelphia safe as The Overseer, and James Wendell Crumb (McAvoy), alternatively cursing terror, are arrested and sent to a psychiatric hospital. Where they’re assessed if they’re truly are superheroes/villains by Dr. Ellie Staple (Paulson) alongside Mr. Glass (Jackson).

IMAGE VIA JESSICA KOURKOUNIS/ UNIVERSAL

Glass is a dull film and I for a large period, mainly the second act, was bored shitless.

The only saving grace was McAvoy who’s performance steals and sometimes saves the movie with his 20 different personalities. While he is the lead character out of all three, I’d honestly would’ve preferred if this was a Split sequel. The same can be said about Taylor-Joy, who have great presents together.

IMAGE VIA JESSICA KOURKOUNIS/ UNIVERSAL

Speaking of which, I will be going back and watch Split (it’s now on Netflix in the UK) because the Scotsman was that great.

The main reason for McAvoy is the lead is because Willis and Jackson have next to nothing to do and while Paulson is a good actress, she does like a long monologue and its part of the reason why it’s tiresome.

Even when it does get to the action it doesn’t matter because you don’t care as the hospital as the worst security for a hospital that’s has supposed super beings. It’s a shame because the opening 20 minutes is probably the best part of the film.

The writing is also a major issue for this film as it includes long speeches and poorly executed twists and surprises.

It’s also way too long and 20 minutes could’ve been edited out.

This movie will no doubt split (no pun intended) opinion and will be argued on film Twitter for months, if not the whole of 2019.

Verdict

A flat end to a 19-year trilogy with McAvoy being the only good thing for the whole arse numbing two hours.