Less is Definitely More!

Rating: Null/10 (22 August 1999)

Few films come along which actively invite viewer participation. This is especially true for the horror/fantasy genre which, in this age of overblown computer-generated fx, assault the audience with noise, gore and the likes of JarJar Binks. Filmakers of insight--and the makers of Blair Witch Project obviously fall into this category--know that the imagination can conjure up far more frightening scenarios than all the fx houses put together. After all, each of us has our own deeply personal, often subconscious, fears--which are seldom those of the filmakers. (Or, should I say, some Hollywood committee's idea of what is frightening.)
Darkness--literal and that symbolic darkness which represents the unknown--is an effective element of Blair Witch; and the use of handheld cameras gives the "documentary" an authenticity that no amount of slick, dollar-heavy Hollywood production values could create. One of the most original films to come along in a very long time. (I can almost smell the imitations coming...)