M. Night Shyamalan continues his successful film career with a powerful cast, gripping storyline and his original, fresh approach to a subject that has been used in many science fictions before. The cast includes a memorable performance from Mel Gibson, who continues his success as an actor; Joachin Phoenix, as his brother, gives a subtle but equally admirable acting performance, blending comedy and drama, and two remarkable child actors.

Gibson runs the family farm in Pennsylvania and finds a disturbing crop circle in his fields one morning. Gibson plays a protective father who has lost his faith as the town pastor after the death of his wife in a freak accident. He is struggling with his existence and has been helped to cope with his situation by his brother, Joachin Phoenix, who has moved back to the farm to help out. His children have also been deeply affected by their loss; the little girl suspects the water is poison, and his ten year old boy asthma attacks have been life threatening. The mysterious crop circle leads the family to investigate and night takes on an eerie feel in the film with sightings and sounds they can not explain. Soon they find out that other crop circles have been discovered throughout the world and the situation quickly develops into a world wide questioning when mysterious lights appear in the night sky over all major cities. The boy, convinced it is a prelude to an invasion by aliens, takes the family's old baby monitor and constantly listens for a strange clicking sound he begins to pick up. When Gibson goes to visit his neighbor (M. Night Shyamalan), who is responsible for his wife's death, he discovers the aliens are all too real.

Excellent picture and sound are present on this "Vista Series" DVD. The subtle sounds created by the aliens conversation and every slight rustle is captured on the disc which creates a gripping, on the edge of your seat atmosphere, without any cheap shockers that are present in so many Hollywood films today. Many of the film's scenes were shot at night and the DVD's picture doesn't lose any information with good contrast and correct lighting and color balance.

As with his other DVD's, Shyamalan includes some of his earliest films he made growing up. On this film, we get to see his teenage work of his first "alien" film which is introduced by him with apologies. A long, making of feature accompanies the DVD feature, as we get a good look of the film's creation from start to finish. The multiangle feature of DVD is used to show storyboard and film comparisons and there are a few deleted and extended scenes in the special features section.

Shyamalan is one of the few young directors to have an excellent record in blending supernatural storylines and excellent casting, which combines for excellent films. This film is no different and fans of his work will not be disappointed. Gibson continues to display excellent acting in his film roles. The entire cast displays the entire emotional range and all performances are credible in both dramatic impact and also for brief, comedic relief. The film is scary with schlock, and is an emotionally taut and suspenseful. A thoroughly entertaining, superior film and disc.