You'll Appreciate the Effort but not the Outcome

Rating: 7/10 (11 February 2013)

This movie could have been an eight or nine out of ten if not for some overlooked mistakes. It was enjoyable right up until the very end. But the weak finale really disappointed me after a great build up of anticipation. I found the jump scares to be satisfying. The music a little out of place in some spots but overall not detrimental to the experience. Like most people I thought the found footage was done well. There's something about the 60's-80's time period that makes for creepy atmosphere. The clothes? The lack of technology? The innocence?
I do agree having both children affected by the pagan demon was foolish and unnecessary. Almost as if the writers were forced to switch killers halfway through because it was too obvious. Yet, knowing what was going to happen didn't bother me. But the poor execution of the conclusion did, however. The lost or taken children ghosts and the pagan Deity shown in person were not sinister in the slightest and ruined the experience. Yes, he was frightening in the pictures/8mm film but not in the makeup up close.
When Ethan found extended cuts I licked my chops. My expectations were set too high, though. The kids shushing us was silly and overdone. Seeing too much in a horror is never a good idea. But the girl hanging from her dead dad's leg was creative.
The interaction between Ethan and his daughter after he's drugged was uninspiring. Her talking normally at all felt wrong. She's possessed. Either no voice or something completely different would have been smarter. If there were alternate versions of the last ten minutes or so. They should have explored those, instead.
Everything else was fantastic. The other reviewers are being overly critical or way too nice. I would have recommended this. A sequel even. It's worth a look to see for yourself if you scare easily.
I gave it a 6.5 or 7 because it was entertaining but ultimately a let down. I believe the average should be a 5.5-7.5 range.