Backcountry

I've actually seen documentaries relating instances of bear attack that are almost exactly as this movie plays out. I actually looked at the bonus features to find out if the movie was based on fact. It's a beautifully shot movie, nature is everywhere and, of the forest, one gets a real sense of the damp, the cold, the spookiness, and the awesome beauty. And I get the themes the creators aimed for, the survival instinct coming to the fore, finding inner strength. But the other more dominant dynamic is the relationship of the couple, and I get what the creators are trying to portray, and they do a great job. If you like movies with very honest intentions about ordinary contemporary people and their ups and downs and how they evolve with being out of their comfort zone or unforeseen circumstance, (alas such is life!), then I'm sure this confident exploration will not disappoint. For me, with a title like Backcountry, I wanted more. More disasters, disasters coming earlier in the picture, more tension, and, call me spoilt, but I think we needed more of the bear.

Have you ever made the experience, when watching a horror movie for the 2nd time, it was even scarier, because you know what to expect and what actually is going on? And when it comes to the most disturbing parts, you had to look away during these scenes. Or muting the tone. This was my experience when I saw Backcountry for the 2nd time.

The thing is, the protagonists do not know what is happening, but you do when watching it again which made it way scarier for me. This movie doesn't create horror with cheap jump-scares. No monsters, no paranormal activities. Anyways this movie shocked me to death and I was glad to be safe, at home, and not in the situation of that couple. Sounds stupid? But that's what that movie made me feel like. I recommend you, not to read any spoilers and not to watch trailers - just watch the movie.

The story is based on real events.

Yes this sort of film has been made tons of times before. It is based on a 'true story'. A couple go off into the wilds of a Canadian National Park. Alex is trying to impress girlfriend Jenn and so does not take a map and leaves mobile communication devices behind and they set off to see some stunning nature.

Once out in the wild it soon transpires that Alex is hardly Bear Grylls and you sort of know that something bad is gonna happen. That is about all I can say without doing a plot reveal – but the cover sort of does that anyway.

The acting is all really good as are the production values. The make up is top notch too and there is a genuine atmosphere of menace and fear – which really worked. The plot is where this gets let down as there is not that much of a story and at 88 minutes you sort of feel there should have been more – but as this is based on the truth you can forgive them a bit. Not a bad film but also not a keeper – this is a best go for the rental option type film.

Nicely shot film,nature and all.Gifted actors,coll bear)Personally for me,there as too much relationship staff and way not enough of bear) Overall,very good one time watch.

Backcountry is a good example how one simple premise can still be thrilling with clever production and a few grisly scenes. Using scenery and only minimum amount of characters, it succeeds on creating the sense of isolation and overwhelming helplessness. The movie doesn't venture to cheap scare territory and while it can be slow at times, its modest nature delivers what it sets out to do.

Jenn (Missy Peregrym) and Alex (Jeff Roop) go into a camping trip. The weekend is meant for a romantic escapade to see a beautiful lake, unfortunately they lose their way in the thick forest. The concept is simple, it has been done before, but Backcountry does it with smart approach by keeping the focus on the confused couple and develop their personalities. Both the lead actors deliver convincing performance.

They look like an ordinary couple, complete with their own issues and occasional bickering. It makes it easier for audience to invest on their survival. When the danger comes and they find out the trip isn't going well, the reactions are believable without being overbearing or resorting to excessive screaming and blaming even though some poor decisions have been made.

The movie keeps the flow without distraction, in this case the less is better as build up for the encounter with the threat is silently ominous. Practical effect and makeup do wonder at creating the deterioration of battered man and woman. Relying on only two characters alone could be risky, the film doesn't veer off from its original path, although the pace does stumble on halfway point. Granted, the investment on the couple might take a while.

Backcountry provides a survival tale in its natural form. It may not be fancy, but it stays on it course to deliver a decent thriller.