Screw gimmicks, I'll just use a format the suits what I find most compelling.
Signs. Critics and many others call it stupid because they can spot "plot holes." However when you dig deeper those complaints are easily shot down. So let's shoot down nitpicks and wrap up with some pretentiousness.
Why would they go to a planet of mostly water if they're allergic? Desperation can make you do anything. But a better argument comes from humanity. We're trying to colonize Mars. It has no oxygen or life, the water is all frozen, and the atmosphere literally boils our blood. If these aliens are stupid then so is NASA.
Wouldn't water in the air effect them?
This is pretty legitimate. It might be that it's only liquid water that hurts them. Maybe the water isn't what hurts them but something in it. The towns water might be contaminated with something that doesn't hurt Earth creatures. But I can understand this gripe.
Doors stop them? More developed civilizations have physically weaker citizens. A caveman could take ten guys from today. Additional, the people we send to space are scientists, not SWAT teams, they're not trained to kick down doors. Aside from that the alien just looks scrawny. He got his fingers cut off last time he was behind a door. But let's say he is fit. If he broke down the barricade his shoulder would be bruised and broken. We never see him with a battering ram. Why destroy your other shoulder if you could wait them out.
Where's their technology? It might be that they don't find weapons necessary if they have poisonous fingers.
People are nonchalant about aliens. Shyamalan is probably shell-shocked from seeing the thing in his house, and he is guilt ridden from smoking Gibson's wife. And Gibson hates the world, so it's understandable that he wouldn't care if it's invaded. Everyone else is paranoid and afraid.
In terms of pacing and style that's all subjective. If you don't like it you don't like it, and that's alright if you hate it for that. But it's not useless garbage. Tone shifts dramatically at the end, making it clear that the movie reflects Mel's attitude. Characters might have actually acted differently, but the movie is from Mel's point of view, so it's his perception we see.
Good build-up
Flawed and quirky characters
Original take on alien invasion
Heavily stylized
9/10 I'm in the "love it" crowd
Ultimately this movie is a very love it or hate it flick. I love it and if you don't that's cool. But don't act like it's stupid, because it is pretty smart if you think about it.
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