DVDZombie

Going into this movie I had heard a lot about it from various people. Having actually watched it myself, I feel a little slighted. While it is a decent movie it's not the best I've ever seen and it certainly isn't particularly frightening. So many people had made this out to be the thriller of all thrillers I guess I expected far more then the movie could ever have provided.

It does manage to create a good atmosphere, it's well acted, well scripted and very well shot. What it lacks is any real culmination to the build up. It's one of those...it's coming...it's coming...oh. I'm sure you've seen the type of movie I'm referring to and if you haven't, check this one out because it's as good an initiation into the anti-climactic thriller as any. I'm not saying it's a bad movie, the ending is actually decent and everything is explained well but without the "make you jump" moments, it seems like the movie just misses it's mark.

I'll say one thing though and I say this without hesitation. Isabelle Fuhrman is a wonderful actress and is completely captivating. I never doubted for one second that she was Esther. I'd love to see more from her in the future, particularly in this genre because she has fantastic potential.

I expected nothing from this movie going in and came away from it with my jaw on the floor. This is one that I can see myself watching again and again, much like Paranormal Activity or Ghost Watch. If your a fan of Blair Witch style mockumentaries like I am, you'll love this movie.

There were two things really worried me about this movie. The first, recently I've lost a lot of faith in Eli Roth. I haven't liked his mainstream work much and I certainly didn't like Inglourious Basterds (2009). I've felt Roth has gotten off track and almost betrayed his horror roots. The second thing I was worried about, was the PG rating this movie wound up with. I normally hate PG horror movies. I don't mind TV horror and there are a few movies out there that I like in the PG horror realm but for the most part, the rating scares the hell out of me. When I head this got a PG I rolled my eyes and though "well there goes another movie down the toilet". I was wrong. Not only has Roth redeemed himself in my eyes, but the PG rating didn't hurt this movie at all. I not only enjoyed it, I loved it and as I said I can see myself watching it over and over again. Overall the acting is good, the script is good, the story is good, it's got some scares and you'll easily wind up sinking into it believing that what your watching really happened. What more can you ask for in a movie of this style? Regardless of what I say, regardless of what anyone else says. When it comes out, rent it, watch it and judge for yourself. You won't be disappointed.