not the best found-footage horror, but still a pioneer

Rating: 8/10 (27 April 2015)

I've finally got round to watching this 15+ years since first hearing about it. In that time I've seen the excellent REC 1&2 & Paranormal Activity series, among a few more mediocre found-footage efforts.
Blair Witch had me intrigued during the first 30 minutes, and on-edge for the last 50. I was enjoying the build-up, getting all tensed up expecting a shocking ending but the final scenes were tame...and then the film ended suddenly, somehow not satisfying that craving for shock - that's what watching this film 15 years after the hype will do for you.
You still get solid believable acting accurately conveying the rising fear of being lost in the woods (for those of you also with experience of wild camping). And it offers an interesting mythology, with one memorably-chilling scene involving kids' voices and tent-abuse.
I never felt bored, but my partner did. So if you haven't seen it and enjoy the found-footage films I mentioned earlier then it's still recommended, just prepare yourself for a more subtle, less graphic experience (even less graphic than the minimalist Paranormal Activity 1).