Jeri Jacquin
Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and Digital from writer/director M. Night Shyamalan and Walt Disney Home Entertainment celebrating 25 years is the thriller of THE SIXTH SENSE.
Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) is a child psychologist who is trying to save his marriage to Anna (Olivia Williams). Finding solace in his work, he begins to see Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment), a nine-year-old boy who is having difficulties and his mother Lynn (Toni Collette) is beyond worried. What she doesn’t know is that Cole is having experiences that even he doesn’t understand.
When he finally shares with Malcolm that he is seeing people in another realm, Cole asks Malcolm to please help make it all go away. Believing that Cole may be suffering from schizophrenia, Malcolm debates on whether he should continue the case. There comes a moment when psychologist and patient connect and discover whether there is a way for both to find the answers that are just a life away.
Willis as Malcolm does what Willis has always done, embraces the role and makes it absolutely his own. A complex character dealing with a marriage he can not figure out, a past that haunts him and a boy who he feels like he is failing to help, Willis is extraordinary and iconically memorable. His career in action films speaks for itself but here, he gets a chance to really reach into our psyche and pull out our own fears.
Osment as Cole had me from the word jump. A massive talent wrapped up in a tiny little body of an actor that can make sadness so permeable that to this day I can instantly pull up his face of fear in my mind. It is such an intense, emotional and dark role for a child but Osment swings and knocks it totally out of the park.
Collette as Cole’s mother Lynn is doing her best to raise her son but knows there is something wrong that she can’t put her finger on. Try as she might, Lynn is unable to bring out of her the dark secret that he carries all by himself. What I love about this character is that even though she doesn’t understand her son, she doesn’t give up (even if frustrated) and makes it clear he is loved. Collete gives Moms a lesson in believing what you can’t see or understand but love all the same.
Other cast include Donnie Wahlberg as Vincent Grey, Glenn Fitzgerald as Sean, Mischa Barton as Kyra Collins, Trevor Morgan as Tommy Tammisimo, Bruce Norris as Mr. Stanley Cunningham, Angelica Page as Mrs. Collins, Greg Wood as Mr. Collins, Peter Tambakis as Darren, Jeffrey Zubernis as Bobby, M. Night Shyamalan as Dr. Hill and Olivia Williams as Anna Crowe.
Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently available to add to your own family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com for their At Home titles!
The first time I saw THE SIXTH SENSE, I was riveted and walked out of the theatre with my jaw dragging behind me. That’s because Shyamalan wrote a story that no one could see coming and then directed it masterfully. That what we have come to expect from Shyamalan and even though there is only one film that I’m sort of meh on (no I’m not telling), the rest of his films always bring out conversations and twenty-five years later we are still talking about it. That’s the impression the film made.
It’s dark tones and focus are very intense and, honestly, there doesn’t need to be a big cast to tell this big story. I loved and love the connection between Willis and Osment on screen because even when they aren’t talking, they are speaking loudly. Their performances bring an edge that twenty-five years later, the world knows the famous phrase, “I see dead people!”.
THE SIXTH SENSE and SIGNS, are available for the first time ever in stunning 4K UHD digital now, and 4K UHD Blu-ray disc on October 22. A special bundle opportunity will also be available at digital retailers on August 27 which includes: THE SIXTH SENSE 4K UHD, SIGNS 4K UHD and UNBREAKABLE 4K UHD.
In the end – not every gift is a blessing!