Having watch quite a few ASL movies, it is always interesting to see almost all the actors sign. It is quite mesmerizing because ASL is a expressive language so you see all sort of emotions that the actors have to portray to communicate. Even more interesting is that there is no sound from the movie.
The movie company, ASL Films, is fairly new (I think it at least 10 years old) and is trying to establish itself as The Hollywood movie company for the deaf. The quality of their film is quite obvious compare to other films, especially short films you've seen in YouTube. I applaud their effort to strive to create high-quality film that people can enjoy and watch multiple of times. Like any new companies, they will have to go through growing pains to try to create amazing films. The Legend of the Mountain Man, to quote Bill Murray from "What About Bob?", has taken multiple of "baby steps" toward that goal but it is still far away from it.
Having watch their other films, their main weaknesses is the plot especially the third act resolution. The characters is usually interesting so that you can invest right away in the beginning. The plot is standard and when the resolution comes, it all just crumple away. Same goes for this film which I won't spoil.
The movie is set in a gorgeous Montana which will make you want to take a vacation there. The three kids were forced to lived with their grandparents who they never met before due to something bad that happen in the past between the grandparents and their dad. Their dad have cancer and need time alone to get chemotherapy. For some reasons, the grandparents is strict and hostile (especially the grandpa), partially due to their strain relationship with their son, whom they think fail to meet their expectation. The kids went out exploring in the wood and come face to face with the "big foot."
I gave it a 6 because the movie couldn't figure out what genre it want to be. It start off as drama then it change to horror then to comedy then to drama then to comedy. I guess you could say it a dark comedy-ish but one that is appropriate for the whole family. The script doesn't do the grandparents a favor, forcing them to behave in extreme manner that seems unlikely in real life. The ending resolution The other thing I don't like, (another huge weakness of ASL Films) is the gag reel at the end that you normally see at the end of Jackie Chan films. ASL Films has done it in all films (I think) and it totally out of characters. I get that they are trying to honor their actors but it need to go.
It a decent film and a must-watch if you love ASL. However, it doesn't hold much re-watchable value. I do hope that asl films will make huge stride in improvement in the next ten years or so
