eagleye_25 Found footage films can be tricky for a viewer. For me, I always have high hopes ...only for those hopes to be dashed after the credits begin to roll.The Hunted (2013) is both a well-made film and effective, even though it's not wholly original.This was a well-made film because some found footage entries seem to be grasping at straws, regarding choices. I've seen some of these films go completely black for more than a couple of minutes at a time, thinking that it will scare the viewer or (and sorry if you liked 'Willow Creek') use a device too much, like when a couple is in their tent listening to sounds outside for OVER 5 minutes. The choices that went into this movie were both smart and not over-used.Because of the intelligence and balance of choices, The Hunted achieved it's effect in a relatively strong way. I was genuinely feeling a sense of unease by the mid-point and that sense of suspense continued to grow, right up until the chilling finale.While the film is not wholly original(very much the same plot as The Blair Witch Project(1999)), it did very much have it's own "voice", vision, and identity. The problem with found footage films start when the people behind them refuse to acknowledge where the roots of the genre lie. By saying to the viewer: "Look, we know you've seen The Blair Witch Project, but if you give this one a shot, you might be surprised" is the kind of respect I want filmmakers to have for viewers like me.While aptly not attempting to re-invent found footage as a genre, The Hunted was crafted with care, which gave it its strength of impact.

amesmonde Plugging Bow Tech a presenter and camera man go to the wilderness to film a hunting documentary about a famous buck called 'Movie Star' but encounter the local legend. Not to be confused with The Hunted (2003) what starts out as a hunting documentary turns into a paranormal investigation horror. Off the bat and clear from the outset is that actor Josh Stewart (who also wrote and directs) is outstanding as hunting documentary maker Jake. Although some may be put off by the pro-hunting angle (although morally it could be seen as a cautionary tale about why you shouldn't hunt), this aside, it's one of the better found footage films out there and best viewed in the dead of night with the volume up high. The direction by Stewart is spot on and you get a good idea of the logistics and surrounding area of the setting. The camera work is crisp in keeping with the low budget but quality shoot of the pilot episode that they are filming. The images are not blurred or have too much out of focus shaky cam work, this works different to other features of the same genre, in as much as everything Slough dark at times is clear, but nothing is given away. Thankfully there's no collage kids, Stewart's script is very believable as it is more about the documentary about the buck rather than the encounters. The hunting lodge supporting cast lend credence to the film.There's added music which is reminiscent of the ghost hunting type programmes that have sprouted up over the years, which suggests their footage has been edited for broadcast. This debatably maybe an error but it can be left at the door. As well as the night on location shoot, there's creepy photos and sounds but it's the actors which sell this spin on the usual Blair Witch template along with the sound design, footstep, wails and shrieks of a disembodied woman voice which is much of the backbone hook throughout. What it lacks in visual representation of the antagonist it makes up for with Josh's excellent convincing performance as they come to terms that something isn't right in woods, stream and surrounding area.The Hunted is one of the better examples of how a tired sub-genre still has some life in it.

Bloodmarsh Krackoon Josh Stewart tries his hand at directing, and what better type of film than yet another found footage horror film, when you have little to no budget - but is this really Josh Stewart's film? Or did Forrest Patterson beat him to the punch with his very own found footage horror film - 'Crybaby Bridge?' In order to find the answer, I'd have to put a little more effort into the issue, but since neither film will be remembered five minutes after you see the credits, who really gives a damn? However, both plots are nearly identical, minus one hunter (that should hold up in court.) Josh Stewart is the bigger name, though, so I'm sure no one will ever notice, even if he did rip off the material.Random Ramblings of a Madman: I'm a sucker for found footage horror films, for some odd reason. 'The Hunted' isn't a total disaster, although, I'm sure some people will be unsatisfied with the unseen presence throughout the film. You can look at it two different ways - 1. Josh Stewart ran out of budget, or 2. Josh Stewart has a different view on what a ghost really should look like (If anything at all.) I'm going with the latter here. I'll chalk this one up as another watchable, badly made found footage flick.

Red_Identity This is far from original at all, especially when The Blair Witch Project remains the scariest film I've ever seen. That film's tension is just masterful, and I have to say that this film is able to recreate some of its ingenuity and real terror. I think the acting in this is really good and a big part as to why it's pretty effective. At times, the film is a bit too similar in its showing-less-is-more approach, but I'm glad it took that route. I wish the ending had been crazier and that it had done more, but I guess that it was comfortable just feeling safe. Overall, this isn't a necessary viewing, but it is pretty good, especially for such an indie.