Optiluiz here once more for another edition of our (not so) weekly movie reviews. Well, let's get to it, then. Today I shall review Grave Encounters, yet another found-footage movie. It's directed by the Vicious brothers and stars... people you've never heard of before. And that's a good thing. It's basically an edit of footage taken by a reality television show searching for paranormal activity in an abandoned insane asylum... or is it?
I actually do love found-footage films when they're done properly, though so few of them are. I'll probably talk more about this in future posts, but for now you should just know that I think Blair Witch Project is still the only film to fully utilize the concept in a good way.
In any case, Grave Encounters starts out like any ghost-hunting show. People trying hard to make a seemingly abandoned place seem creepy and off-putting. It's all intentional, and the humor really contrasts with the horrible events to come, but in a good way. The characters are genuinely interesting, so this first half-hour isn't boring or lackluster. Things quickly start to pick up once- Well, I guess I shouldn't spoilt it for you. Let's just say that you owe it to yourself to watch this one to the end.
Technically, the film really does look like a reality TV show. At least in the beginning. Eventually, however, once things start to go really bad, the filming gets more chaotic and movements become more erratic. The overall atmosphere is impeccably creepy. Stories of the dead patients and Lovecraftian writings on the walls really help to keep you on the edge of your seat during the entire feature. I'll admit that a few found footage clichés find their way into the film, but it's mostly some overused camera angles and some reactions. One thing is for sure, this movie is more The Shining than it is The Blair Witch Project (Though not in terms of quality).
Alas, as I've repeatedly said before, nothing is truly perfect. Some digital effects look very amateur-ish, and some of the acting is quite stilted. The ending is predictable, but this is a found-footage film, so by this point, that's a given. What really makes it worthwhile is the despair that kicks in after certain events. The actors really conveyed a sense of terror that (ironically) is absent in many horror movies these days. Grave Encounters is a scary film, with great atmosphere working alongside jump scares and unexplainable phenomena. All accomplished with little to no gore.
Overall, I give Grave Encounters a solid 7.5/10. It may not be a classic, but the memorable chills and intriguing story more than make up for the film's flaws. I highly recommend it. It's not that easy to find, but if you do happen to stumble upon it, watch it. That concludes today's movie review. I hope it's been of use to you, and don't forget to check back for more soon. For now, here's the trailer for Grave Encounters.
Chainsaw cheers,
-Optiluiz out...
PS: I'll eventually post a review about the sequel, which I also enjoyed.
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