2000, 1 hr 46 min., Rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements including some disturbing violent content, and for a crude sexual reference.�Dir: M. Night Shyamalan. Cast: Bruce Willis (David Dunn), Samuel L. Jackson (Elijah Price), Robin Wright Penn (Audrey Dunn), Spencer Treat Clark (Joseph Dunn), Charlayne Woodard (Elijah's mother).

Unfortunately for writer-producer-director-400 lb. gorilla M. Night Shymalan, when someone asks what I thought about Unbreakable, immediate comparisons to his 1999 surprise blockbuster, The Sixth Sense are drawn. There are similarities that can't not be noticed, such as star Bruce Willis, the deliberate pacing and the twists. Also, the fact that it's about the common man who faces a mind-blowing situation that has supernatural undertones.

Considering I called in sick the night I saw Unbreakable, I guess you can count me out of that category. Well, I can always shoot for Un-marry-able, or Unliberable. Think there�s a comic book future in those?

Unbreakable is a movie that Shyamalan delivers at a leisurely pace. Not like the incredible boredom of 2001, but the tranquil, deliberate yet uneasy pleasantness of a Hitchcock classic such as Rear Window. Shyamalan�s shot-making skills bring out the comparisons to master Hitchcock, because he really keeps you on your feet, wondering what�s going to happen next; the shot does not dictate the situation. The score helps a lot as well, mixing in the mystery with the �is he or isn�t he a hero� refrains that connect each scene.

While I didn't mind that the film takes its time to make a point, because you still feel drawn to the characters and their predicaments, there was considerably less emotion than in The Sixth Sense. I just wish Shyamalan would allow his characters to be in situations where they laugh once in a while, and just in general get some joy out of life. Everyone's just so dour, so "glass half empty" for much of the film.

Otherwise, the acting was superb, some of the best work Willis and Jackson have put on the silver screen. Each of their characters is understated, yet pack a punch because of their depth.

Samuel L. Jackson is Elijah, born with a protein deficiency that causes his bones to be extremely brittle. For inspiration, Jackson�s mother buys him comic books, where Elijah�s view of reality is seriously skewed. Of course, I would be amiss to not mention that about the only thing unbreakable in the film is Jackson�s afro.

Bruce Willis� David Dunn is on the opposite end of the spectrum; never been sick or injured, even as a football player. Jackson has sought out someone of his ilk, who miraculously survives unharmed in major disasters. Save Mercury Rising and Color of Night, Willis fits that mold quite well.

Robin Wright Penn accentuates Willis as his wife, Audrey, of 12 years, mother to their son, Joseph (Spencer Treat Clark). Penn and Willis are not happily married, but they�re trying, though, sweetly going on a �first date� to get reacquainted. Audrey�s nice and kind, tries to be supportive and says to be honest and that it doesn't matter what he says, but it always does.

It�s impossible to avoid this, so I�ll just say that if you enjoyed The Sixth Sense, then there�s no reason to think that you won�t appreciate Shyamalan�s follow-up as well. It�s good on its own merits, and I apologize if the comparisons were Unbearable.