The Locals

I've just read a review that slags this baby off and there is no way that I can let that particularly misguided reviewer have the last word. he accuses New Zealanders of bigging the film up and criticises the use of lighting and the acting - wrong on all counts, boy! I'm a Brit and I have no particular reason to pretend that a film from New Zealand is good if it isn't. BUT THIS IS WONDERFUL STUFF!!! Low budget maybe, low key for sure - but the film takes its time allowing us to get to know our main characters (pretty clichéd characters but convincing and effective nevertheless. It builds up a spooky atmosphere, allows us to slowly realize that all is not well. The beautiful scenery of the daylight becomes a mysterious place of strange shadows at night. Here is where the lighting works so well. Yes, lots of areas are deliberately over lit - making central occurrences stand out starkly whilst blackness surrounds in a claustrophobic manner. The graveyard is eerily lit - standing like a beacon of badness amidst the shadows. The acting is fine - certainly far better than some of its amateur origins might suggest. I would recommend this film for anyone whether they be a horror fan or a student of film-making on a budget. New Zealand just showed big bucks Hollywood how to make something scary!

If Hollywood had made this movie (and smoothed out some hitches that presumably came with a low budget) the critics may well have been raving about it.

In many ways it could have been another 'The Others'.

Most of the acting is quite acceptable for a low budget horror movie; the photography is very well done and the script itself is ambitious and doesn't miss by much, which is saying something. Some of the foreshadowing is top notch.

Either way well worth watching and miles ahead of so much Hollywood horror pap!

As ghost stories go this was relatively original and will be appreciated by those looking for something different.

Two friends hit the road for a surfing trip and decide to take a short-cut when night falls to speed up their journey.On their way they meet a couple of girls with a fast car and are invited to a party.In the following car race,the guys crash their car and go looking for help.They approach a farmhouse but as they look in the window,they see someone being murdered.Now the friends are on the run from the locals who want to kill them."The Locals" is a major disappointment.The film plays like the cross of "Deliverance" and "The Sixth Sense",but as an avid horror fan I found it dull and suspenseless.The locals are neither scary nor menacing.The photography is good and there are some creepy locations,but the absence of suspense is hard to forgive.The director shows some potential,so hopefully his next horror project will be more intense than unexciting "The Locals".5 out of 10.

I thought the LocaLs was going to be a sad B-Grade Kiwi horror but it turned out to be the wickedest New Zealand movie ever. I particularly like Dave Gibson's role as Nev the 80's bad guy zooming round in a metallic purple (Ford Escort?). It was ace, his voice is so growly and deep and his kiwi accent is just so ...local. I was a bit worried about the acting from John Barker and Dwayne Cameron at first but as the movie progressed I just started to feel for them...I mean they were just city boys aye? By the time Paul was being forced to dig up those bones I just wanted to jump in there and help him. Awesome. I want to congratulate Dave Gibson in particular I thought he was cracker.

I saw this film because I recognised some of the actors, and was quite impressed with Dwayne Cameron's acting. I can't say the same for everyone - Grant's character wasn't as convincing at the beginning - but it may be there was more focus on the plot at the beginning than development of character. Especially Paul and Grant's friendship, it seemed a little strange at first, but it ended up being the focus of the ending - which was a great scene!. I was also impressed with the camera work, shots, and editing which all added to the feeling of mystery and thrill. The storyline may have been slightly copycat but there was some great Kiwi spirit added in there which made it even more special. Hey, a movie that mentions the film Lord of the Rings has got to be ahead of it's time, eh!