Too much hype;too little payoff

Rating: Null/10 (13 August 1999)

We all know what this movie is about unless you've been taking a dirt nap for the past 4 months.There is no need to do a synopsis for it.I know that a majority of the movie goers out there just love this movie and it is their favorite all time thriller.I really looked forward to this and was hoping for some good old fashioned scares and goosebumps.
Sorry kids, but this movie just doesn't live up to the hype.The only major scare I had was the fear of losing my lunch due to the jerky camerawork.Being severly disappointed doesn't start to describe it.
The movie did have its share of creepy moments.No denying that but creepy doesn't translate into scary.(I'm too old to be a slasher/gore fan so the lack thereof isn't an excuse for not liking this film.In fact that is exactly why I wanted to see this).The late night discoveries and the daylight stick figure area were a bit spooky.So was the surprise dental work outside the tent.The ending almost saved the film with its out and out lose your mind intensity.Finally we get something that is close to being really scary.We could have used a lot more of that screaming descent into hell.
The payoff to the film was ruined because the first hour was tedious to sit through.Major fear number two was that I would nod off.But the 3 characters screaming at each other were so irritating it forced you to stay awake.
These 3 are such morons that I hoped something WOULD come out of the woods and put them out of my misery.Die already!! Who cares about a bunch of whining morons arguing about cigarettes a lack of supplies and an "are we there yet?"mentality?The absurdity with the map had me lose any connection with the characters.Stop screaming at each other! Beat the moron to death with tree limbs and get the $#^# out of there!
The heralded "finding the lost documentary film" is nothing new. Cannibal Holocaust served up that angle more than 20 years ago.At least it wasn't as jerky.
Sorry but I was rooting for the evil varmint in the woods. Great ending and a nice try but it doesn't save the film.Give it a 2.