Welcome to the Movie Mystic! The films we discuss each month are not "reviewed" in the traditional sense of that word; rather, we look at metaphysical messages in films, both current and classic.

Our Fascination with Extraterrestrials ... and SIGNS

Welcome to the Movie Mystic! The films we discuss each month are not "reviewed" in the traditional sense of that word; rather, we look at metaphysical messages in films, both current and classic.

Hundreds of movies have been made about our love/fear relationship with extraterrestrials. The films either reflect our terror of these aliens as threats to our very existence or as friends who can help us reach our full potential as a species.

Some as this fascination can be explained rather easily. We have always looked up at the stars and wondered: are we alone in the universe? For me, the answer has always seemed obvious. There are millions of millions of other worlds "out there." Isn't it just the height of earth-based arrogance to think of this small planet--as significant in scale to the universe as a speck of sand on any beach--as the only repository of human consciousness anywhere?

Of course, I do recognize that this question also contains a potentially hot religious "button" for some. In 2001: A Space Odyssey, the discovery of the monolith on the moon was classified as top secret because of the supposed threat of "destabilizing the world's religions." In addition, there is also the question in so many aspects of world culture (and books like Chariots of the Gods) over whether or not aliens actually "seeded" the earth originally with humans or played a major role in our evolution by stepping in at some time in our distant past to do some genetic engineering. Adherence to any of these theories is, of course, anathema to many traditional religious beliefs. Although space limitations here prevent me from delving too deeply into this debate, I go into the controversy in much more detail in my book, The Force is With You: Mystical Movie Messages That Inspire Our Lives.

Alien movies separate basically into the frightening (Alien, Independence Day, War of the Worlds, etc.) and the comforting (E.T., Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Starman, etc.) Signs fits squarely into the frightening alien category and, for me, that was somewhat disappointing. There were great opportunities in the film to make a more hopeful statement about our interaction with aliens. The choice was made to traverse a more standard scary-movie route and the movie does work on that level. The director, M. Night Shyamalan, who also directed Sixth Sense and Unbreakable, has a sure touch when it comes to creating an eerie atmosphere.

As a movie about the phenomenon of crop circles, it doesn't really say much except to imply that they are landing guidelines for extraterrestrial navigators. I'd like to believe that they are more elegant than that but, again, to each his own.

As a movie about a spiritual crisis and its resolution through the realization that there are no coincidences in the world, the film is wonderful!

Mel Gibson plays Reverend Graham Hess, a widower who, due to the circumstances surrounding his wife's death, has lost his faith and given up his ministry. His belief in God has actually turned to rage. In a key scene early on in the film, he tells his younger brother that he believes that we are, in fact, all alone in the world. Without giving away too much of the movie here, the circumstances of the alien invasion that ensues put his family in dire jeopardy. The resolution of that conflict is worked out in such a manner that the Reverend realizes--from actual experience--that he was never alone and that his wife's death also carried a message of salvation, both spiritually and physically.

This aspect of the film carries a powerful message of hope for all of us when we encounter dark nights of the soul. It is those moments that truly test both our faith and our beliefs. The saving grace of Signs is that it demonstrates the value of maintaining both our strength and our courage during those painful and lonely sojourns into sadness.

One last observation about extraterrestrials...

Personally, I do not believe in the hostile intent of aliens--most of them, anyway. (One note that I just can't resist to those of you who have seen Signs: with these aliens' particular vulnerability, didn't they totally choose the wrong planet to invade?) If aliens are actually bent on our destruction, what's stopping them? If they have the technology to warp time and space and engage in interstellar travel, shouldn't they be able to destroy us rather handily if they want to?

For me, there's a more tantalizing possibility. Perhaps they are here simply as observers. If so, what makes us so fascinating? Armageddon enthusiasts might think they are here to witness our doom, but civilizations have destroyed themselves so many times that such an occurrence has got to be back page news in the universe, don't you think? I personally find it hard to believe that any self-respecting alien would traverse the galaxies just to watch another species go extinct. They could simply stay home and watch their own version of Star Trek reruns.

So why are they here?

I think the answer lies in the extraordinary and perhaps even unparalleled evolution of consciousness that is occurring on Earth right now. If we are indeed consciously committed to and in the process of manifesting a whole new paradigm of human achievement, it would deservedly make us the hottest destination in the universe, wouldn't it?

So, here's my idea--let's show them how it's done!
MovieMystic Chakra Rating for Signs:
Chakra 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Rating 2 4 4 3 4 3 2
22 out of a possible 35: Average: 3.1
A full explanation of this Chakra Rating system is available at MysticalMovies.com.

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Stephen Simon has produced such films as Somewhere in Time and What Dreams May Come. His first book, The Force Is With You: Mystical Movie Messages That Inspire Our Lives, will be published October 15, 2002 by Walsch Books/Hampton Roads. Stephen invites you to visit his website, MysticalMovies.com, for more information and to read previous Movie Mystic columns. He also welcomes your comments: Stephen@MysticalMovies.com