The Happening Widescreen (R) Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, John Leguizamo, Ashlyn Sanchez, Betty Buckley |SwapaDVD.com

MPAA Rating: R
Content Advisory: Violence
Movie Release: 2008
DVD Release: 10/07/2008
Format: DVD - Color,Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned
Edition: Dual Layered
Audio Tracks: English, French, Spanish
Subtitles: English, Spanish
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Number of Discs: 1
Run Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Total Copies: 9
Genres: Thriller, Psychological Thriller
See Also: The Happening [Blu-ray]

Lady in the Water director M. Night Shyamalan puts PG-13 suspense on pause to tell this grim apocalyptic tale about a family fleeing a natural disaster that poses a grave threat to the whole of humanity. Philadelphia high-school science teacher Elliot Moore (Mark Wahlberg) is discussing the disappearance of the bees with his students when the staff is summoned to the theater and briefed about a mysterious event that is currently unfolding in New York City. According to reports, citizens in the vicinity of Central Park have suddenly and inexplicably begun seizing up just before killing themselves by whatever means are at their disposal. As the phenomena begins to spread and talk of terrorism fills the airwaves, Elliot, his wife, Alma (Zooey Deschanel), their friend Julian (John Leguizamo), and his daughter, Jess (Ashlyn Sanchez), board a train bound for the presumed safety of the country. When the train screeches to a halt before arriving at its final destination, however, the frightened passengers are forced to fend for themselves as each consecutive news report paints an increasingly grim picture of the situation in more urbanized areas. Theories abound on what could be causing the unexplainable rash of suicides, but the only thing that everyone seems to agree on is that it's some kind of airborne contagion that is carried in the wind. It would appear that humankind's reign on planet Earth has come to an end, but perhaps if this small band of survivors can find a safe place to lie low until this all blows over, all hope for survival of the species might not be lost just yet. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Mark Wahlberg - Elliot Moore
Zooey Deschanel - Alma Moore
John Leguizamo - Julian
Ashlyn Sanchez - Jess
Betty Buckley - Mrs. Jones

David W. from TARKIO, MO wrote on 11/1/2009...

Undoubtedly the worse film M. Night Shyamalyan has made to date. I was reluctant to go see this in the theaters, and now I know why. I gave this away, but should have thrown it away.

Carolyn S. from ALEDO, TX wrote on 10/14/2009...

0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I wanted to see this movie because I absolutely adore Zooey Deschanel and any movie she is in, even though I find M. Night Shyamalan movies funny and predictable. Shyamalan did not disappoint this time as well. The premise of the movie is that something is killing off the humans by getting into their minds and making them kill themselves. They stop, walk backwards (only in some cases) and kill themselves by whatever means is at their disposal. And let me tell you, they use pretty creative ways to end their lives, despite the fact that moments before they were talking incoherently.

The movie seems almost like a spoof of Spielberg's War of the Worlds as it follows three people in the apocalypse. In The Happening, the three main characters are science teacher Elliott (played by Wahlberg), his wife Alma (played by Deschanel) and Jess (played by newcomer Sanchez). As in War of the Worlds, they stay in a beautiful abandoned house where they find food and they meet their share of crazy people. Though Wahlberg is a good actor, he is not Tom Cruise and Sanchez cannot compare to Dakota Fanning. Since War of the Worlds was such a good movie, this movie should never been made. I recommend you watch War of the Worlds if you want to watch an apocalyptic thriller.

Micah P. (mprice12) from DAVIE, FL wrote on 9/22/2009...

0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Acting isn't the greatest but definitely a novel theme. Overall, I enjoyed this one.

Heather F. (8izenuff) from PHOENIX, AZ wrote on 9/12/2009...

0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I watched this and thought hmmm kinda graphic for a rated pg13 movie. Then realized it was rated R. I liked the whole idea about the cause of what was happening. Again we see the humans are parasites that must be destroyed. I like find that really believable. I am disappointed that so many people hated it. It worked well for me, but I am not a big horror fan, I saw that the characters learned something, the ones that survived anyway. The ones that died of course did not. LOL

Rosalio N. (piobman) from COEUR D ALENE, ID wrote on 8/30/2009...

1 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Very disappointing movie. As a huge fan of all his other work, I was expecting much more. The movie feels very forced. Not a single actor in the movie stood out nor did any seem to have any chemistry. Only likable person was the hot dog guy, who was in it for just a few scenes. No plot to speak of, no build up, bad cheesy gore (although intentional hurt the movie's overall effect), and very dull. In one respect it attempts to be tongue in cheek and in the other it tries to build tension. Unfortunately, it never actually delivers in either respect and just comes off as blah. A a completely forgettable movie that had absolutely nothing HAPPENING in the movie.

Joven Q. (OB1KNOBI) wrote on 6/21/2009...

1 of 5 member(s) found this review helpful.

It came and went away ! Just like that ! Likely part 2 ?

James B. (wandersoul73) from LANCASTER, TX wrote on 6/9/2009...

1 of 4 member(s) found this review helpful.

Although, I'm a huge fan of his other films to me this was simply his lamest. What a lackluster mess!

Nicole R. from IRVING, TX wrote on 12/1/2008...

5 of 7 member(s) found this review helpful.

Mark Wahlberg is usually in great movies. This one, however, was not great to me. It was slow moving and I stayed confused throughout the whole movie. It kind of leaves you hanging at the end and isn't a real thrill. It wasn't very scary at all and I actually got rather bored watching it. I'm glad I didn't waste my money seeing it in the theatre.

William G. (longslide10) from CALHOUN, GA wrote on 11/10/2008...

9 of 14 member(s) found this review helpful.

Bad script. Bad dialogue. Bad sub-plots. Bad acting by actors who you would expect to be much better. This movie started off bad and only got worse. Don't waste two hours on this movie!

Love F. (momto5) from WINSLOW, ME wrote on 10/28/2008...

8 of 9 member(s) found this review helpful.

Everyone has differant tatste!! I heard and read some awful reviews but I personally LOVED this movie. Always have liked M. Night Shyamlam's movies but this is a got to have for me.I loved the cast also always been favorites of mine. I don't think everyones going to love it but you got to at least see it once. The only thing that could have made it better is if Zooey Deschanel sang in it...

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