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M. Night Shyamalan’s most recent thriller to hit DVD, “The Happening,” does not thrill at all. It has all of the usual Shyamalan elements, but even his signature twist ending was incredibly weak. And unfortunately, Mark Wahlberg and John Leguizamo, playing the parts of two high school teachers in Philadelphia, are unable to save the film.

“The Happening” is a relatively short film, which is the only mercifully positive thing about it. The basic plot of the movie is that humans all over the planet have angered the earth’s plants - and boy are they pissed. So, in a plausible and undoubtedly typical response, the planet’s plants work in cahoots with each other to launch a sort of chemical warfare against humans in a kind of terribly cheesy organic revenge. Seriously.

Hailed as Shyamalan’s first R-rated movie, “The Happening” had a bit of hype surrounding it. Sadly though, an R-rating and an ominous and ambiguous title do not yield a solid film. Television ads for the movie have boasted of straight-to-DVD scenes, “too intense for theaters,” but don’t let that fool you. A guy getting devoured by lions and a Jonestownian scene with a 9mm is about all there is to it.

I guess, if for some dreadful reason you are forced to endure the hour and thirty minute film, you can at least enjoy the “Where’s Waldo?” type signature Shyamalan usually employs by putting himself somewhere in the film. (Hint: He has a speaking role). But if this scathing review hasn’t persuaded you to avoid this film, then kick around this little nugget: “The Happening” was significantly worse than “Signs,” really.