The Hunt

There were dozens of films about hunting, survival in the wilderness, since DELIVERANCE, from all over the world. Many topics are possible from this basic scheme: common urban folks, as you and me, loose in countryside, deep forests, far from the madding crowd. French films are not so bad, and not only French. Easy to produce feature, because never very expensive to make, no matter the acting, cast, only the story and its originality count after all. One of those movies has absolutely to be unique, different from the others, has to offer something surprising, unusual ideas. I repeat, no matter the bad directing, lousy camera work or production design. This one belongs to this category; the director seems to be a real amateur but I don't care at all; anyway I did not expect more. I have seen enough films in my life not to have an instinct. There were tons of this kind of stuff. If I am surprised, especially in the end, I definitely take it. I only, only search, seek originality. That's all, not talent. Talent is for me optional. The link between the little boy and his step dad is quite touching for such a film, low grade one.

Saw a screening of this movie in Oklahoma City. Loved it! Very well done. All the main actors were wonderful. The little boy did a great job, too. The effects are incredible and the cinematography and style of the whole film really works well. Some funny parts, too. I liked the guy in the restaurant scenes who was talking about squirrel hunting. Funny character! The plot of the film is creepy and it really makes you wonder what's out there. You keep thinking the whole time what's gonna happen next. I about jumped out of my seat a couple times. Glad it was showing in Oklahoma City. Hope this will be available for DVD rental/purchase. A good, suspenseful thriller!

I saw this film at the Chicago Horror Film Festival and I must say that it had a surprise ending that you just don't see coming. The acting in it is also very good, surprising to see in many Independent films that you see. Plus the effects were done very well. I can't believe this one didn't win best Effects at the festival.

I did see that it did win Best Actor which is good. Robert Rusler (Vamp) did a great job in this film. His character was just so far out there and fun to watch. The kid also did a great job in the film.

The film is a little confusing at first, with all the cutting in of different kinds of footage, but once the film gets moving, it stays flowing at a pretty smooth pace.

Saw this in the Blockbuster and picked it up as a Friday Night flick. The premise is straightforward: Hunters go into the woods-- and find something unexpected.

Difference is that the hunters are portrayed as good ordinary guys who hunt for plain sport-- they're not uneducated, Bloodthirsty hillbillies. Just Hunters. The Stepdad is played with good, solid earnestness. The kid is just a kid-- no oozy, sacchar-whiney uber-cuteness-- just a kid who gets more and more scared as time goes on while the conflict between the two adults build and build.

The ending left me kinda thoughtful-- but not in a bad way.

'The Hunt' is an interesting film for me. I remember the first time I watched it I was really quite taken with it. I know it's hardly 'fast-paced' and definitely more of a 'slow-burner,' but the final third was pretty terrifying. In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I bought it.

A couple of years later, I re-watched it and kind of wondered what I saw in it. I've seen a few other reviews that describe it as 'Blair Witch with aliens' and that's pretty apt. It's about two hunters who take one of their step-sons into the forest in order to film a documentary on 'bow hunting.' Granted it's not all filmed from a 'POV perspective,' but there's enough first-person footage of people running through the woods and talking straight into camera to draw similarities.

I've watched it three times now and each time the only thing I'm left with is the feeling that I must have been in one hell of a forgiving mood on the initial viewing. I'm not saying it's terrible. It's okay, but no more than that. The acting isn't bad, but it has a really cheap feel - like a 'made-for-TV' movie. Even the aliens - when you finally see them - look like they've been animated on a Playstation 2. Plus don't expect many kills, or even gore on the few deaths you get.

I think if the film truly has a 'weak spot' it's the child actor who plays the little boy. I don't want to come down too hard on him as, due to his age, has hardly had many years of 'treading the boards' to perfect his acting talent. He just comes across a bit too weedy to really have much audience support.

Due to the film-makers deciding to tell the story as a kind of 'long flashback,' which is loosely interspersed with what is happening in the present, it does tend to rob the film of any tension as you kind of know what's happened and nothing really comes as that much of a surprise.

Overall, 'The Hunt' isn't an awful film, it's just so mediocre that you've seen a load of better horror/sci-fi films and this one is pretty forgettable (unless you're me, clearly).