Knowing, directed by Alex Proyas, brings us a story about a single father, John Koestler (Nicholas Cage) whos son, Caleb, (Chandler Canturbury) discovers a letter from a time capsule that his elementary school buried 50 years ago. In the letter, a mysterious sequence of numbers commences a series of events that will in turn, either lead the world to its doom or its new found hope.
Let me begin to say that the storyline is absolutely incredible. Although it isn't one hundred percent original, its uniqueness brings out a flavour that possesses a great deal of potential. It runs very smoothly, and is rarely "choppy"-this allows for it to be easily followed.
Another intriguing aspect of the film is its use of children. In the beginning of the film, we see a young girl who is isolated from the rest of the social world because she is regarded as strange. It is here that we discover that it is in fact her who writes the numbered page to be placed into the school's time capsule. During the length of the film, we are introduced to John's son, Caleb, who is in no way regarded as an out cast, but does carry a number of characteristics that could categorize him as "different", mirroring the first child in the beginning of the movie. Although many films do involve children, whether to vamp it up in cuteness or cloud it in the abstruse unknown, this patricular film uses it as an edge-a particular type of child in the beginning, and a new generation of children in the end. A different set of tastes to blend in the particular flavour. This way, the aren't left with the same type of spooky problem child we get in many other movies.
The colors work particularly well with the story. With a lot of the themes surrounding life and death, we are given either dark blues, greys and greens, but nothing completely pitch black. In my opinion, this leaves room for the little bit of hope that the characters are trying to grasp onto throughout the film. There is one particular scene which uses an excellent example of this. In the scene, we see Caleb in his bedroom at night with an intruder in his room. The shot is very dark, although the figure with Caleb is only partially outlined in a luminous yellow light, particularly a portion of his hair, face, hand and fingers.
The special effects in the film will blow you away. The computer animation is very realistic, and all of the action will keep you at the edge of your seat.
The flaws I would need to address in this film is the mis-matched acting and the "unrealistic" aspects. Although Nicholas Cage has shown throughout his film career that he can indeed act, this was not properly shown in Knowing. At some points in the film, the acting was over dramatized when it was not needed, and oversaturated with mundane emotions when feeling was needed to be present! Also, although it is understandable that the movie needs to move at a pace where it doesn't run into the length of 6 football matches, it did move a little quicker, making it less believeable.
Over all, I would rate this movie a 7 after watching it, and a 7 as my over all rating after a quick review of it. The action will draw you but it is the dark mystery that will inevitably hold you in. Just knowing that speaks the truth.
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