129. The Outwaters; movie review

 

THE OUTWATERS

Cert 18

110 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong gory images

I had really hoped that the found-footage genre had slipped into history with the ghastly Paranormal Activity movies.

But here we are again with The Outwaters - the least enjoyable film I have seen in a very long time.

And yet I am aware of positive reviews - presumably from folk who haven't seen The Blair Witch Project, Cloverfield.

I have ranted many times on the subject but, in my opinion, found-footage films are lazy.

They require no character exploration, no cinematography expertise or even the ability to hold a camera still.

They merely rely on bangs, screams, and lots of fake blood - and the occasional glimpse of something a bit unearthly.

That is certainly the case with The Outwaters which follows a very dull first hour and a final 30 minutes during which literally no words are spoken.

Robbie Banfitch's movie stars himself, Scott Schamell, Angela Basolis and Michelle May as four friends who camp in the Mojave Desert to make a music video.

They are recorded  'having fun' - although if this were a home movie it would never be played because they don't do anything remotely interesting.

And then they see a snake, hear loud bangs in the night that they believe are thunder and then face their doom - and record it all just as you would.

That is the essence of the problem of any found-footage movie. Nobody would create a video in extremis - especially in the dark.

It adds up to the type of movie that could scare the bejeezus out of a young person if they haven't seen the like before.

I'm afraid this old stager found it tedious if I am generous and plain bad if I am being honest.

Reasons to watch: If you haven't previously seen a found-footage movie

Reasons to avoid: I find it almost unwatchable

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 1.5/10

Did you know? At least one species of venomous snake is found in every US state except Hawaii, Maine, Rhode Island, and Alaska. It has been estimated that between 7,000 and 8,000 people per year receive venomous snake bites in the United States and about five of those people die.

The final word.  Robbie Banfitch: "If you really want to be uncompromised, you can make movies with your friends and keep working on them as long as you need to until they feel right. You don’t necessarily need money to do that. You just need a camera, and you can get a cheap camera and write a story that fits that camera, if that makes sense." Michigan Daily

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