The first Blair Witch is a film that I have a lot of respect for and has had a huge influence on the genre. What made it so amazing, is the fact that the actors really were scared. The directors took a creative approach to making the movie that shouldn't have worked, but it did.
Normally, when you watch a movie, you suspend your disbelief and go along for the ride. This usually involves overlooking the fact that it's pretty obvious you are watching actors acting, no mater how talented they are. The original Blair Witch is the only movie I know of where it's obvious that nothing is forced and nothing is fake. It's flaws and shortcomings are part of what makes it so real and so great.
This movie is nothing like that. It's a carefully crafted Hollywood remake, and like most low budget horror films, the acting is not that great. They took the approach that every other movie in Hollywood takes, because it's the only way to guarantee results. It makes for a movie that works, but in a completely different way than the original.
The original was a cultural phenomenon, that got everyone talking, because it felt SO REAL that people actually believed it WAS REAL! It was a historical event and gave rise to countless imitators and parodies. This remake will not go down in history and there is nothing terribly special about it, but if you accept that and are a horror fan, there is still plenty to like.
So don't go into expecting to see anything brilliant or revolutionary, but if you get past the bad acting and cheesy melodrama, it will give you a few good scares.
Normally, when you watch a movie, you suspend your disbelief and go along for the ride. This usually involves overlooking the fact that it's pretty obvious you are watching actors acting, no mater how talented they are. The original Blair Witch is the only movie I know of where it's obvious that nothing is forced and nothing is fake. It's flaws and shortcomings are part of what makes it so real and so great.
This movie is nothing like that. It's a carefully crafted Hollywood remake, and like most low budget horror films, the acting is not that great. They took the approach that every other movie in Hollywood takes, because it's the only way to guarantee results. It makes for a movie that works, but in a completely different way than the original.
The original was a cultural phenomenon, that got everyone talking, because it felt SO REAL that people actually believed it WAS REAL! It was a historical event and gave rise to countless imitators and parodies. This remake will not go down in history and there is nothing terribly special about it, but if you accept that and are a horror fan, there is still plenty to like.
So don't go into expecting to see anything brilliant or revolutionary, but if you get past the bad acting and cheesy melodrama, it will give you a few good scares.