Review:Split

With its high opening takings in the US Box Office, rave reviews and promise of a M. Night Shyamalan showing some of his initial movie making form, Split seemed the obvious choice for a trip to the cinema.
The horror genre, isn't something I am generally a fan of, but if done well, has to be admired (from behind my fingers!).
M. Night Shyamalan's new feature does have all the factors necessary for a solid entry into this genre, central to which is a quite remarkable turn by James McAvoy in the leading role.
Split tells the story of Kevin, a man with 23 different distinct personalities who kidnaps three girls that must find a way out of captivity before he unleashes the most dangerous 24th. McAvoys' portrayal of Kevins' different personalities are a sight to behold as he flips emotionally from evil to vulnerable and even to humourous as his prisoners slowly realise the nightmare they are now stuck in.
Anna Taylor-Joy also deserves an honourable mention as the strongest female of the pack, Casey Cooke, as she uses her own harrowing experiences to initiate her escape from this living hell.
This movie largely engages its audience, such is the unhinged and frightening peformance of McAvoy and the horrifying situation these girls find themselves in.
It does however, tend to run out of steam and  lose itself a bit in the final act for what seemed like a cheap shout out to a previous M. Night Shyamalan movie which neither serves purpose or helps this movie in any relevant manner.
Overall, probably worth a watch alone though for the performance of the lead character. Not a compete return to form by Shyamalan but another step in his long road to redemption.
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