No matter what they say...this movie is brilliant

Rating: Null/10 (2 August 2002)

It was a smash when it came out, but then after it died down everyone kept saying it was a stupid movie. People, admit that you like it! It's better than those pathetic "Scream" movies put out there by Wes Craven (whose films have been getting poorer and poorer ever since "Deadly Friend"). I admire how the filmmakers came up with a new, fresh idea, casted some young, fresh faces, and filmed this little gem on a very low budget and then went on to make millions as it raked in the cash at the box office. Face it, this movie is scary and it will make you wonder about what is really going on in those woods, what they are really hearing, if there is something authentically supernatural occurring just out of eyesight. Yes, we know that the whole thing is fictional, of course, but you will still be fascinated and not to mention very frightened as three young people venture into the deep, dark woods of Maryland to film a documentary about the legend of the Blair Witch. From there, everything goes downhill as they find themselves lost, arguing nonstop, and on the verge of hysteria as they realize something sinister and evil is in the woods with them. This presence is merely hinted at but it is so strong you can practically feel it. This inventive trick is another great part of the movie, and it's just great how ritualistic stick figures, piles of stones, and spooky noises in the distance can scare the living hell out of you and get your imagination going. You will actually feel like you're in the woods with these characters and you're wishing for them to get out alive. Bear with this. It starts out slow to develop the characters of Heather, Josh and Mike (who were, all in all, very interesting characters and their constant fighting helped to make the mood even more intense), as it takes us deeper and deeper into the woods, the mood slowly builds from slight unease to full-blown terror. Some may hate the ending and call it abrupt, but I think it is quietly and eerily effective. I don't want to give away much more, so go experience this film for yourself. The leads are very talented and I especially enjoyed Heather Donahue, she was especially great in this film (if I were her, I would have definitely had a three way with those two guys, it's just like they said in Blair Witch 2, it would have been a great stress reliever!). Anyway, this is a landmark movie, destined to become a cult classic. Don't miss out on it.