fantastic for those with imaginations

Rating: 9/10 (22 October 2002)

(Spoilers)
I really cant stand the opinion that this film is "boring" or "not scary" However, I have a theory on this.
Everyone is familiar with the way films are now so ingrained in the public imagination that "film conventions" now provide basis for our reality, as opposed to reality. Examples including space ship "explosions" that would, in fact, be silent implosions.

The same is true of horror, people think to now be scared you must JUMP and have some tangible monster. This film completely goes against every corny horror film convention. It is the anti-horror film (though not a parody)
The genius of the film is that people are scared of walking through woods alone at night, and you don't know why. So this film relates it to your fears and then places you in the middle, its all consuming, and you definitely feel you are there.
Another criticism is of the "whiney girl" and the 2 students arguing. This was probably the most clever aspect. The fact is people are scared of the unknown, and after the third night visit they know they are going to die, but heather only admits this 5 minutes before the end of the film. They try to suppress their emotions (as real people would) and tensions fray. This is also the only film I have ever seen where I could truly believe the actors were tired hungry and scared.
I always argue with my friends about this film, , mainly about the action taken. "I would follow the river and run" Would you? Run alone through the woods? I wouldn't. "i wouldn't go in the house" so you would leave josh? who is still alive?
To summarise the film is scary genius, its simple tool is making it real to me, and every other imaginative person. Do you like special effects and crap films? MATRIX! do you like something different, and terrifying? Blair Witch it is.
I could have made this, so could you. We didn't, I'm glad they did.