Redwood

This is a difficult movie to review because the description along with the opening sequence is essentially one big spoiler for the entire movie...it literally reveals the entire plot. So the actual meat of the movie is basically just a couple going for a long hike in the woods and constantly bickering until they eventually run into the aforementioned vampires.

It's a simple low budget movie but the natural beauty of the redwood forest makes for a very nice looking movie. The acting of the main cast is adequate but nothing special although early in the film there's a scene with a park ranger where the acting is particularly cringe inducing. Also the introduction of Nicholas Brendon (of past Buffy fame) was just kind of weird and poorly written. He doesn't play an important role at all, just kind of pops up out of nowhere to say his lines, act a little creepy, then isn't seen again until the end. On top of that his last line of the movie is cheesy and completely unnecessary, it seems it was included to make sure you knew they were vampires. As in he literally pops up to say "Not another vampire...". We know man, we saw it. Thanks anyway.

The biggest flaw in the movie, aside from completely spoiling the plot 5 minutes in, is the complete lack of suspense. There are no twists here, what you think is going to happen is exactly what happens and then the movie ends which is ultimately just really unsatisfying. So this movie, while it looked nice, just falls flat and honestly kinda lame. It's definitely not scary by any means. Give it a watch if you want to see a well shot but ultimately pointless movie, just don't expect much from it.

Wow...

Ranger Steve and his bizarre accent should have been a warning that this wasn't going to live up to the "Must Watch" billing this movie gives itself.

Firstly, our protagonists, Josh and Beth are easily the most toxic couple ever to share a screen. Sadly, neither one of them starts the movie as particularly likeable and both of them roll down hill from there. Clumsy exposition takes the place of believable character depiction as the writer seemed intent on reminding the viewer *EVERY THREE MINUTES* about Josh's cancer diagnosis. Nothing this pair do throughout comes even close to being understandable from the perspective of a regular, thinking human being. This pays off in the worst way imaginable at the conclusion, where I was left scratching my head about anyone's motivations. Also, Beths flip flopping between her American and Irish accents is distracting at best, mind numbing at worst.

The first two thirds of the runtime is a painfully slow trudge up a hill with this pair, where they complain at each other incessantly. I found myself hoping they might stumble upon a hungry grizzly bear who might put us all out of our misery. The third act finally remembers that this is meant to be a vampire movie and just drops them in to no apparent effect. Seriously, take the vampires out of this movie and it has zero impact on the plot other than taking away the painfully predictable post credits scene.

Feels like it was written by a high school child, but probably less entertaining that it would have been if it was.

Garbage. Avoid. Petition for its destruction.

I'm not sure what is worse in this film, the story or the acting. Both are fairy bad but I think the acting might just edge it because in some parts it is nothing short of terrible, to the point I wasn't sure if this was meant as a joke. If you made this or was in it and watched it after completion and thought you had done a good job you really need to consider another line of work. I gave it 3 stars out of sympathy and think I was over generous, don't waste your time with this, it's poor.

What an absolutely awful film. All those involved should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. It wasn't scary and the plot was terrible.

Was drawn into seeing 'Redwood' with a cool poster/cover, a very intriguing and creative premise and as someone with a general appreciation for the genre as said many times. That it was low-budget, which from frequent personal experience is rarely a good sign due to that there are so many poor ones out there, made me though apprehensive.

'Redwood' is a film it doesn't do enough with its potential (although there are far bigger wastes of potential in film) and could have been much better. 'Redwood' is very weak with a lot of big problems. It certainly could have been far worse, considering the large number of films seen recently being mediocre at best and terrible at worst.

Lets start with the positives. The setting is atmospheric and spooky and 'Redwood' could have looked far worse visually, was expecting a cheap looking film and to me that wasn't the case here.

'Redwood' has some creepy moments early on.

Albeit, there is nothing new here, the film doing nothing fresh with something creative in concept. The second half also takes itself far too seriously and gets incredibly idiotic, a very completely different film feel here. Far too much is revealed too early too, with the opening sequence giving almost everything away that it kills the suspense. The creepiness dissipates completely fairly early on, with the horror, suspense and tension being nowhere near enough. Things start not making much sense and gets silly, with one of the most ludicrous and easily foreseeable endings ever. The acting is not amateurish from the leads but is weak from the supporting cast and laughable for the cheaply rendered and far from threatening vampires.

Further issues are that it was clear that it was written in haste. There is a very rushed and careless feel to the story, especially in the second half where confusion and choppiness can be found in editing and narrative, and the underdeveloped and scrappy script with far too much talk likewise.

Then there is some padding and aimlessness that also gives the film a dragging sensation. The characters are flimsily developed, annoying and bland, the direction lacks focus and the music and sound editing are far too intrusive and obvious. Nicholas Brendan's role and inclusion were pointless.

Overall, weak with not much going for it. 3/10 Bethany Cox