Glass

A sequel to 2000’s Unbreakable and 2016’s Split, Glass follows Bruce Willis’ David Dunn as he finds himself locked up in a mental institution with James McAvoy’s Kevin Wendell Crumb and Samuel L. Jackson’s Elijah Price – with the three men receiving unorthodox treatment from a specialist named Ellie Staple (Sarah Paulson). Filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan delivers an exceedingly strong opening half hour that picks right up with Willis’ memorable Unbreakable character (and even includes a reprise of Spencer Treat Clark’s turn as David’s son, Joseph) and seems to pave the way for a midsection detailing the indestructible hero’s continuing exploits. It’s somewhat disappointing to note, then, that Glass spends much of its second act trapped within the confines of that aforementioned mental institution, with the decidedly unconvincing nature of this stretch (ie why doesn’t David just prove that he’s not crazy?) ensuring that one can’t help but wish Shyamalan would move onto something else. (In fairness, the revelations of the picture’s finale recontextualize, and retroactively improve, this portion of the proceedings.) Indeed, Glass eventually does improve once it passes a certain point and the various characters begin putting various plans into motion, although it’s apparent that even here Shyamalan goes a little overboard in terms of the monologuing and relentless chatter (ie it’s just a little strange that the entire climax occurs within the confines of a parking lot) – which ultimately does confirm Glass‘ place as a somewhat disappointing yet thoroughly watchable capper to an unexpected trilogy.

**1/2 out of ****

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