Taryn Barker: Demon Hunter

You know this is going to be a shoddy movie within the first two minutes ... and it doesn't get any better as the movie goes along. When will the low-budget writers learn ... start with a good script! I have given 3's and more to low budget films if they actually took creating script seriously. Using poor cliches and even poorer scene setups is no way to make a movie. No amount of good acting (and there wasn't much here anyway) can make up for the audience wanting to run away.

But I have to also say, its funny that the reviewers with the higher ratings of this film even admit to its issues ... but they still give it high marks?? WHAT??? If it is a bad experience for the audience then it is a bad experience for the audience. I will give kudos where due, but the rating is for the experience, not because you liked one or two attributes.

Zoe Kavanagh's 'Demon Hunter' played to a packed audience in Dundrum in Dublin recently in a one off special screening, earning it a well deserved rapturous applause 90 minutes later. Knowing the time & effort Zoe put into making this Jewel in her Crown of achievements so early in her career, I can only say I was blown away with what I saw. Heaven knows what she would do with a big budget at her disposal. As it is on limited release & picking up awards across the globe, I made sure I ordered it on pre-release from Amazon. When it arrived I watched it again & still loved it. This may look like one of the biased reviews that litter IMDb with the suspicious markings, but the production, direction, sound fx, soundtrack, visuals & excellent performances from Niamh Hogan & Michael Parle (especially one on one) compels me to give high marks. Watch it & remember it's a 70k budget then make your own minds up. I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome. Bigger budgets & better things are ahead for Zoe but who will obviously attract jealous 'types' voting this down without even seeing it which is sad. Keep 'em coming Zoe. Everyone is so proud of you.

I found it very enjoyable movie to watch, I liked the way it was shot, and enjoyed the story line. Not a bad production overall considering that it wasn't a huge Hollywood Studio multi million dollar production. I for one am looking forward to the sequel, at least I hope there is a second one.

I think the producers must have got their friends to write five star reviews - or I was watching a totally different movie!

Anyway, this isn't too bad for a low-budget amateur production, but the same old 101 mistakes are rife throughout. It is not as though guidance for up-and-coming film makers is hard to find - it is everywhere.

First - SOUND! Again and again and again so many films like this fall down when it comes to reasonable quality sound. At times it is near impossible to hear dialogue, and at other times the sound jumps incomprehensibly between cuts or the levels are not taken care of properly in post. If the boom doesn't do the job then use radio mics for goodness sake. In some scenes the boom operator does a good job, then in the next it is totally awful.

Second - acting. Most of the acting was OK for an amateur production, but it was clear to see the difference between more seasoned actors - especially in the delivery of dialogue. Sometimes it seemed as though direction was seriously lacking and less experience actors were left to their own devices - which they tried to do as best a job of as they could.

Third - lighting and colour grading. Another very mixed bag. Sometimes the scenes were really well lit and graded and at other times it was damn awful. There didn't seem to be any consistency in approach or quality. There just isn't any excuse for this with the tools available now.

Lastly, editing and story. It wasn't a bad story, but was perhaps a little too ambitious for a low-budget/amateur production. I can see what was trying to be achieved, but the lack of attention to detail just didn't pull it off. Perhaps it would have been much better if the more demanding scenes (that required effects and fights) were simplified and placed in a more real-world context.

Not a bad film, but could have been better in very basic ways through attention to detail, even with the constraints of time and budget.

While searching for films for my Genre filmfest, this little gem was submitted to me and I was so glad. A really well made indie Horror Action Feature made on a very small budget over some course of time. A likable main character, a professional look, well done action scenes and a well layed out plot characterize this movie. It came 2nd place in the audience vote as well, can't wait for the sequel.