This is my word of advice to those interested in seeing Glass. While in theory this new movie could be enjoyed on its own, do yourselves a favor and have already seen at least Split (2016) prior to heading to theaters to checking out Glass. And for those that may not already know, Unbreakable (2000) was the first leg of this race, so I’d put that on the list as well (although you could technically get by that one by reading a detailed synopsis or something). My personal path led me to watch each of these movies again within the last week in order to best prepare myself for what was to come. There’s simply a better chance of appreciating this latest addition if one has an understanding of each of the main characters since they’re both layered and complex.
The city is on edge due to the murders of a couple of teenage girls along with the disappearance of a few more. The person, or persons, behind these abductions happens to be one person who happens to have several personalities residing within one physical body. “The Horde” (James McAvoy) is the collection of personalities residing within one human container, so to speak. “The Beast” is the deadliest of them, and he is a true force to be reckoned with. One man is tracking him outside and hopes to stop these murders.
David Dunn (Bruce Willis) is that person but he ends up being captured alongside The Horde. Placed in a high security mental facility, David and the many personalities of The Horde are now being observed and treated by a Dr. Ellie Staple (Sarah Paulson). It is in this place where another has been kept for quite a few years comes to light to serve as a catalyst for what is to come. Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson) will prove pivotal to this story of reaching ones full potential. Is the world ready for the next evolutionary advancement of mankind? Probably not.
Forgive the semi-vagueness of what’s in this review. Most of what is to come in this story needs to be seen and not spoiled. As these colorful characters come together to share the stage, it isn’t long before you realize that these various pieces fit together nicely. The vibe of Glass is that of a major heavyweight boxing match. In one corner you’ve got the aging world champion, that would be David “Overseer” Dunn. In the opposite is an up-and-coming mad man that destroys anyone in his path, Kevin “The Beast” Crumb. Finally, there’s your Don King-esque promoter, Elijah Price aka Mr. Glass, who pulls the event of the century together and also promotes it. That’s pretty much the gist of the movie right there.
Just as he did with his amazing performances in Split, McAvoy brings the same intense and engaging energy to his roles of the continued evolution of his personalities. I felt that McAvoy should have been at least mentioned in high regards for his outstanding work in 2017 with this challenging role. Sadly that did not happen and it won’t this time around either. He’s definitely the one actor that stands out above everyone else. Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, Sarah Paulson, Anya Taylor-Joy and Spencer Treat Clark are also featured in the growing roster of stars. Shyamalan has made major strides in a fickle industry and gathering this very talented cast speaks to his influence.
This is a tough one to rate as there have been a horde of thoughts circling and fighting for the light. In the end however, I’ve come to the conclusion that Glass is a pretty solid film that will be appreciated, more so, over time. M. Night Shyamalan’s patience and his unwavering dedication to his visions are what will ultimately push the third leg of this trilogy beyond its tipping point. Fans of the franchise should come away satisfied, whereas merely curious patrons may come away feeling a bit unfulfilled. The method to Shyamalan’s madness is unwavering and should not be ignored. Embrace this complex cast of characters for all that they are worth in theaters now.
