Jerman's Rating: 4 steps forward, 1 step back. This film teaches very pure, very good things. The step back is only for scariness factor, which I'll get to in a second.

Bruce Willis is the star, but Haley Osment is the main character. The previews showed it was about seeing ghosts and how both our worlds interact, its actually about something better, deeper, the 'stuff life is made of.' People think the re-watch value is to 'catch' the twist ending throughout the movie, that really isn't important. This film has just as much replay value as any other solid movie. I've probably seen this movie as many times as I've seen Star Wars.

Film elements first. The scripting is one of the first things that sets Shyamalan apart. Its natural and very expressive. Same goes for the story, plot, and editing- natural and expressive. Long camera shots, interesting angles and framing, and reflected shots.

After watching bonus material on the DVD people get excited about the color 'red' rewatch it, think its cool and never get it. This is good for you first time watchers too: the color red serves as a visual poke. Shyamalan can't sit next to you and poke you to get your attention or direct you to things, so he uses the color red. Its like saying: "This is significant, pay attention or take a note of it" Red things are absent in the film except when its needed.

Onto thematic things. First the scariness factor. I get upset when this film is put in the horror section in stores. Its not a horror- far from it. It is scary, but for one very important reason- so you can put yourself in Cole Sear's shoes. The kid's life sucks, he thinks he's cursed, the thing he wants most is to not be scared- you have to understand his life, thus there are a few jump scenes and disturbing images. They are not there just to be there and make a gory movie. You'd be freaked out and scared out of your mind too. One theme I enjoy every time is the way Mothers are shown. Toni Collette plays the best mother I've seen in any fiction. She loves her son a lot and the way that's shown is beautiful. Then there is the other mother, the one in red. In one boring shot, with bad resolution of a video tape I get more disturbed than anything else in the movie. That one shot makes me sick to my stomach, the shot isn't very amazing, there's nothing special about it, but its the context, the naturalness that gives it the effect.

The film discusses prioritizing family and work. The difference between life curses and life talents/strengths. Hidden talents and gifts people have, and how they are different. One of the film's taglines is: Not every gift is a blessing. Think about that- and how the idea changes. Its also about: Making single parent homes work. Telling people close to you things about yourself. and Trust. Most of all its about the 6th Sense, not the extra sensory itself, but how its used and affects your life. Does it use you, or do you use it? Which has ownership over the other one? Curse owns person? or Person owns gift?

This film is very cathartic. If you're a crier you'll probably cry in some parts. The best way I could describe the movie immediately after watching it is 'beautiful.'