*Finally, Shyamalan's hero trilogy comes to a conclusion. It started way back in 2000 with the focus on the Unbreakable David Dunn (Bruce Willus), branded the Overseer. Then, revived it with Split (2016), introducing his villain the Horde, Kevin W. Crumb (James McAvoy). It's back with Glass to reveal the evil mastermind's, Elijah Price AKA Mr. Glass (Samuel L. Jackson), worst act of infamy.
Shyamalan is a rare breed allowing the passage of time to temper his pedigree in an age weaned of creativity by relying on retro and pop culture flicks. It's the best portrayal of a realistic superhero movie that insists on being taken as seriously as the protagonists themselves. Glass is full of entertainment as a comic book movie should be, instead of relying on industry cliches. Shyamalan continues his own cameo roles, returning as Jai, also from Split. We get to see a fuller look at the Horde's shifting 23 personalities. The super trio is tracked and studied by the psychologist Dr. Ellie Staple (Sarah Paulson). She guides us through a deeper study of their "hero disorders," which she tries to convince them of. Dr. Ellie's role is unique to this hero genre.
Comic book lore merges as a reality show. Dr. Ellie discovers their kryptonitic weaknesses. There is a grand finale battle in an empty parking lot. All orchestrated of course, by Glass, attempting a mass disaster event in Philadelphia after he enlists the Horde as his sidekick. The Overseer takes on a new twist as he is misunderstood by society as a vigilante and sacrifices all to save the city.
The box office agrees, with record profits in the first year, compared to the modest production budget. The end was a shocking tragedy but marked its own path unlike any comic book ending I have perused as a former comic collector myself. Poignant couples' themes added more substance like the unconditional love of Elijah's mom, the support of Dunn's son--working alongside him like Batman's Robin--, and even the Horde's impossible romance.
Shyamalan's signature cinematography and plot twists were limited to seclusion in a 'fishbowl' setting. You can't get so technical while sacrificing dramatic effect, since comic books seek the widest lens for its heroes. From there, everything waxed anticlimactic. Still, Shyamalan's script parallels with Marvel and DC Comics' vision of mostly normal people living like gods. I dare bring it up to 10th & Goal.
* PHOTO CREDITS
Universal Pictures. "Glass Movie." tumblr, lafilmschool, 2019, https://www.tumblr.com/tagged/glass-movie
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