| Re: Found Footage |
Subject: Re: Found Footage
by efindel on 2011/2/22 18:21:27
The original Blair Witch Project was interesting at the time because it was new and different. Unfortunately, it doesn't hold up well to rewatching -- too much of the movie has basically nothing happening.
I thought Paranormal Activity was a good idea, but with a horrible execution -- unlike Blair Witch, where I could at least believe that the characters were trying their best with the resources and skills they had, PA's characters seemed like idiots. (For example, why keep the camera in the bedroom when you keep hearing noises from downstairs at night? Why not put it downstairs where the noises are to see what's happening? Or, hey, since they could afford to buy a video camera just for this, rent another couple of them and set them up in different places? Idiot boyfriend insists on using the Ouija Board, even after being told it's a bad idea and promising not to. Idiot boyfriend is also completely against getting help, even when they know for sure something is going on. And lastly, since the creature seems to have a physical presence (leaves footprints, etc.) -- CLOSE THE DAMN DOOR AND LOCK IT!)
To add insult to injury, the original ending of PA sounds like it would be much better than the one they used in theaters. Of course, it also didn't leave as much room for a sequel, or go for the "shock scare" of Katie jumping at the camera, which is probably why they changed it....
Cloverfield I liked a lot -- unlike the other two, it actually had a budget, good special effects, and, again, the characters for the most part seemed to be reasonably intelligent (except the guy with the camera, but we're given strong hints that he's pretty much an idiot before the disaster starts). Unlike the other two, I felt it to be worth re-watching.
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