Backcountry (2014) Reviews

• These people need Bear Grylls

  quincytheodore2015-05-11

  Backcountry is a good example how one simple premise can still be thrilling with clever production and a few grisly scenes. Using scenery and only minimum amount of characters, it succeeds on creating the sense of isolation and overwhelming helplessness. The movie doesn't venture to cheap scare territory and while it can be slow at times, its modest nature delivers what it sets out to do. Jenn (Missy Peregrym) and Alex (Jeff Roop) go into a camping trip. The weekend is meant for a romantic escapade to see a beautiful lake, unfortunately they lose their way in the thick forest. The concept is simple, it has been done before, but Backcountry does it with smart approach by keeping the focus on the confused couple and develop their personalities. Both the lead actors deliver convincing performance. They look like an ordinary couple, complete with their own issues and occasional bickering. It makes it easier for audience to invest on their survival. When the danger comes and they find out the trip isn't going well, the reactions are believable without being overbearing or resorting to excessive screaming and blaming even though some poor decisions have been made. The movie keeps the flow without distraction, in this case the less is better as build up for the encounter with the threat is silently ominous. Practical effect and makeup do wonder at creating the deterioration of battered man and woman. Relying on only two characters alone could be risky, the film doesn't veer off from its original path, although the pace does stumble on halfway point. Granted, the investment on the couple might take a while. Backcountry provides a survival tale in its natural form. It may not be fancy, but it stays on it course to deliver a decent thriller.

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• LOT OF SPOILERS! Just another horror film with characters doing stupid stuff to get themselves into trouble.

  thetruthoffreedom2015-04-22

  If the two hikers had been moderately intelligent outside of their occupational task (landscaper and lawyer)this would have been a boring movie. But this movie follows most horror flicks with the traditionally easy 'most everyone is an idiot' formula. Why would you take the risk of not taking the free 2oz. map with you? Why would you ever leave your girlfriends cellphone at the car and not even tell her? Yes, it probably wouldn't have reception but maybe it would? Why would you not check your newly smashed big toe as soon as you injured it? Why would you ever invite a guy into your camp who is one banjo away from deliverance and then let him be the alpha male with your girlfriend? Why would you not heed natures blatant warning of the large bear print? And lets stake our tent at the summit during a thunderstorm why don't we. Why would you have your axe/weapon 15 feet away when you know a bear is the area? And how easy is it to remember that you have bear spray right next to you and why wouldn't you unload it as much as you can into the bears face? As soon as she started running from the bear after waiting around and risked getting that diamond ring I knew her head was a rock magnet. And sure enough, boom goes the head. I won't comment on anything else but it just seems like writers have gotten lazy with horror films. Maybe try having intelligent and experienced characters that do, for the most part, the right thing but because of outside factors they get into a predicament. Could be more believable and you wouldn't end up hating the characters because of their stupidity.

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• Hmmm...

  antman-695942018-08-15

  I've never written a review in my life, but I had to voice my frustration. This is a really atmospheric movie, with likeable characters and a fair amount of suspense. It's definitely worth watching...BUT...what drove me crazy was the ridiculous camera movement. My guess is, in an attempt to be arty and perhaps to give a first person perspective of the terror of being alone and hunted in the woods, the camera shakes and sweeps all over the place. Annoying and pointless!! Movie makers, PLEASE stop doing this!

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• Solid Indie Survival Flick

  Seth_Rogue_One2015-07-16

  A solid independent film with a good cast Eric Balfour was NOT the lead as I suspected he would be since he had second top billing on here, but to me it doesn't matter Because the couple that were in the lead did a really good job and their relationsship seemed natural, they felt like a real couple and that doesn't always happen in movies so I appreciated that I can't really say too much about the movie without spoiling it, but basically if you like survival movies give it a go There were some parts where it felt a little slow and some parts where the camera work was in my opinion a little confusing, it most likely was intended as such but still at points I felt like they went a little overboard with the shaky camera and the intentional out of focus going into focus shots, but overall the movie looks good It had some genuinely scary moments in it though so yeah it's still very much a good movie that I can recommend Just now while writing this review read that it was shot in only 16 days and it is the directors debut film, and I must say that shows great promise for the future of this director

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• Hauntingly Realistic!

  Torera2015-04-05

  I was glued to this movie from start to finish. The main characters were believable and the acting was very good. The male character, Alex (Jeff Roop), had an uneasiness about him that kept me watching with nervous anticipation. The female character, Jenn (Missy Peregrym) was superbly realistic. I connected with her vulnerability and ultimate strength and perseverance. *****WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD***** I am a fan of the horror genre and feel that I have pretty much seen it all and that nothing fazes me anymore. Well....I have to say that the bear attack scene in this movie still haunts me today, weeks after having watched it. From the chillingly realistic cries of agony as Alex is being mauled - made more horrific since most of the gruesome details are left to the imagination - to Jenn's excruciating shock and helplessness....it's incredibly satisfying to watch because the realistic emotions touch close to home. I have to mention Eric Balfour's character, Brad. I have read a lot of comments with regards to his scene being pointless or irrelevant to the movie. I actually think that including this scene in the movie was a brilliant red herring. After Brad left, I was left with an ominous feeling. Where was he lurking and when was he going to pop out again? I was totally caught off guard when it turns out that the real threat to the couple turned out not to be Brad. What an effective way to amplify the couple's real plight. This scene provides some foreshadowing, as well. Brad's appearance is menacing. Similar to the bear, he preys on Alex's weaknesses/insecurities. He builds up Jenn, who ultimately prevails. Great movie. I would watch it again!

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