Skinwalker Ranch

Found Footage features typically rely on either horror/supernatural kinds of stuff or UFOs and alien sightings. Here, efforts were being made to do both! And I'm afraid that specific plan didn't work out too well.

I feel, storywise; it didn't have a lot to contribute. A pretty basic plot that consists of a group of specialized people investigating the disappearance of a little boy on mysterious grounds. Same old, non-exclusive approach!

Paranormal Happenings, UFOs, Aliens, Prodigious Beasts; this movie is an uncanny assemblage of all run-of-the-mill tropes one could possibly imagine in their wildest dreams! I'm all for trying out fresh ideas, but not here though! It is too much to bear and even more so without any context.

Thankfully, the execution isn't so bad. Performances are decent enough, there is sufficient tension that build-ups over time, and in particular; the choice of site is pretty impressive! Those widely spread plain fields did capture my interest, not gonna lie. Special effects & CGI fall onto the cheap side of the scale, but that is expected; especially given their modest resources!

In conclusion, if the Writing was on par with what I initially envisaged; it would have been a prominent addition to my ongoing streak of Found Footage films.

Alas! It just ended up being one of those forgettable viewings.

First, I must say that i'm fan of this "fake documentary" genre, and I didn't know what to expect of this film. It starts like a rip off of The Dark Skies movie, but after that, everything goes south. Every minute it becomes more and more naive. It feels like there was no scenario, everything happens chaotically. Evidences are coming one by one and in large quantities, explaining that what is happening, can be just anything. You will try to came up with assumption of what is going on, trough entire movie. And then it ends, leaving you there siting without any question answered. Camera that flicks before something odd is going to happen just spoils everything. The acting is not the good, but it is bearable, and I liked that X-files tribute cameo.

I was initially suckered into watching the 2013 movie "Skinwalker Ranch" on account of it being a movie that I had never seen, nor actually heard about, before, and the fact that the movie's cover was somewhat interesting. And with it being a movie I wasn't familiar with, of course I had no idea what I was in for.

And I have to say that I am a bit amazed that collectively then writers Steve Berg, Ken Bretschneider, Devin McGinn, Murphy Michaels and Adam Ohler could manage to pull off something that was only mediocre at best. Sure, there were elements to the script that were nice and really had potential, but the overall impression of the movie was one that left much to be desired. I feel that I was given an incomplete movie from directors Devlin McGinn and Steve Berg.

Once the movie came to an end, after 86 minutes, I was left with a staggering sensation of 'was that really it?' and it was a somewhat of a hollow viewing experience. I feel that the movie's cover was a bit more promising in comparison as to what directors Devlin McGinn and Steve Berg delivered.

I wasn't familiar with the cast ensemble in the movie, aside from Jon Gries. And I have to say that it is always a treat to see Jon Gries on the screen, as he has a particular gruffy charm to him. It should be noted that the acting performances in "Skinwalker Ranch" were good, despite of a somewhat subpar script and storyline.

Visually then there were some scenes here and there throughout the course of the 86 minutes that the movie ran for. And the effects used definitely helped to bring the movie to life and added a great sense of mystery and inexplainable thrill to the narrative. And that certainly did its part to keep the movie watchable.

If you enjoy alien visitor movies you might get a small kick out of watching the 2013 movie "Skinwalker Ranch". But if you are a casual viewer looking for an evening's worth of entertainment, then this movie might not be the best of choices.

My rating of "Skinwalker Ranch" lands on a five out of ten stars.

I just finished the movie and thought it was excellent. I am a big fan of alien abduction movies and frankly there aren't that many at all. I read some review on here that said it was a rip off of dark skies. Are you kidding? Maybe it seems that way because there are only a handful of these types of movies with alien abduction, Compared to the volume of ghost movies. That's like saying "The Conjuring is a rip- off of "Paranormal Activity". Or saying Dark Skies is a rip off of Signs. Alien abduction films: Signs, The Fourth Kind, Communion, Fire in the sky, Close Encounters. Not a vast selection, I hope I got my point across.

Another thing I don't agree with, saying this is "Amalgam" (Mixture) of paranormal, stuck in one movie. Yes, it might have more than just aliens. If you knew the accounts of the real "Skinwalker Ranch" you would know this is exactly the type of paranormal activity that goes on there, and that's what it is based on. Yes, the "Skinwalker Ranch" is a real Place with witnesses of U.F.O.'s, light orbs and yes other furry creatures. That's exactly why the movie was made because of the extraordinary events that have been documented at the ranch. The ranch is basically a breeding ground of paranormal activity.

Also to comment on user: Miroslav Kostic's quote as saying "It feels like there was no scenario, everything happens chaotically." To this I say, it's a paranormal documentary style horror story. It's supposed to mimic reality. Of course it's going to be chaotic. That reference is bogus. It's not meant to feel like a story but an event that was captured on film. This isn't "Harry Potter and the Skinwalker Ranch. It's a "Found Footage" Docu-Fiction Horror.

I was very surprised by the actors in the film. Usually these low budget movies have bad acting and horrible Computer Graphics. I was surprised with both. The acting was believable and the CGI was very good! I was expecting the syfy channel CGI but this looks as though they didn't lack on funds for the CGI. It makes the film that much more creepy! Loved the movie! It scared the crap out of me in certain scenes. Make sure to pay attention. You might notice something in the background scenes!!! FREAKY. LOL ENJOY GUYS!! I Give It a 6.5

This is one of the best movies I've seen. It's a very creepy, edge of your seat, action packed film. I love these kind of movies because they tend to be original, innovative and creative. I was really hoping for a second one because I was definitely not disappointed. If you have not seen this film yet, I highly recommend you watch it.