The found footage genre is one many horror fans wish would take a siesta. Films loaded with nauseating camera movement, increasingly annoying characters, and often times questionable actions by the cast. Of course things like this exist in a standard horror film, but given that found footage films are supposed to have an element of realism – these things and more shine as being less forgivable.
Personally, I have no qualms with found footage horror – if it’s done right. It’s very easy to screw up a found footage film and turn it into a laughable experience as opposed to a terrifying one. When found footage is done right, it can send the viewer hiding under the covers and hoping whatever they’re watching isn’t real…but questioning if it is. Of course the biggest contribution to this is the acting, if that’s solid, you’ve won half the battle. Then of course, the special effects which are a prime factor and lastly the script/story. Crappy CGI effects can break a found footage film in seconds; any momentum can be easily destroyed by a shitty effect. The less is more approach seems to work best or mostly practical with a hint of CGI for those paranormal jobs. Being that a majority of found footage films may favor adlibbing; a script almost feels unnecessary to a certain degree – however, a good story is always welcome.
When AS ABOVE SO BELOW hit theaters, it sort of just came and went – it seemed no one saw it, and those that did were less than thrilled. Since it has been released on DVD/Blu Ray – I have noticed more people checking it out and enjoying it, wondering why this didn’t do better. Of course there are those who aren’t questioning that in the slightest as it’s not a universally loved film or one anyone could call an undiscovered gem.
I fall somewhere in the middle of these two camps; I didn’t love it, nor did I hate it.
We follow a young scholar named Scarlett who is on a mission to find the Philosopher’s stone – a stone rumored to hold the key to eternal life and riches. She enlists in the help of a few locals in Paris to go through the infamous catacombs to find the stone who are more than eager to help with a promised pay off. Unfortunately for them, there is something much more sinister waiting below and their journey brings them straight to the gates of hell.
The concept of literally going into the gates of hell is not one that’s estranged to this genre, it has been done in many forms and more than likely will continue to be done as time permits. The usual brimstone and fire look however is abandoned here in favor of a more bleak, dark and murky backdrop where nightmares lurk around every corner.
A pretty well thought out set up and a solid second act is where the film really exceeds. There are moments of fascination and genuine terror, not to mention claustrophobia in which one scene will literally have you gasping for breath. It’s ultimately the third act where the film kind of fizzles and turns into a very different kind of a film. At one point I wasn’t sure if we had switched gears to the upcoming GOONIES sequel and it felt like somewhere, someone felt this was a better idea than straight up horror. At any rate, this is the part where the film should have flourished being that the characters are now in, well, hell.
Scares that should be abundant are absent and boils down to a very anticlimactic ending which has universally left even most fans disappointed, it’s not necessarily bad however, it just doesn’t have the pay off. It almost feels like the idea of having a climatic ending was tossed in favor of having a more “meaningful” one which on paper may have sounded great; but to generate thrills and chills…well, doesn’t do much.
Featuring many of the found footage troupes – sans annoying characters, overall the cast in this flick was likable – the typical camera work of run and shake the camera as much as possible is frequent. Characters are often doing questionable things as things get weird very early on once they are inside the catacombs leaving any reasonable person to wonder why turning around is never an option. At the very least the ever so annoying “Why are you still filming?” question is unnecessary as the cameras are strapped to the heads of the characters. There is a handheld camera, however, the idea behind that is to simply document the expedition which is assumed to be one they’ll all walk away from. That camera is eventually used as a source of light when the batteries in the flashlights start going – which gives it a pass.
All in all, this isn’t a terrible film. It isn’t a terribly good film either. If providing scares was favored over the more action/adventure angle – the third act may have worked better. The backdrop of hell does a lot to add atmosphere and set up for some genuinely scary moments but ultimately it’s never fully realized. The cast is competent and does well with the material provided, giving the audience the sense of realism a film like this needs. This is a film I’d recommend renting before purchasing, it may be good for a once off viewing for some, while for others – they may enjoy re-visiting the catacombs from time to time. I liked it enough where I would watch it again – but it wouldn’t be my first choice to provide a restless night.
Directed by: John Erick Dowdle
Starring: Perdita Weeks, Ben Feldman, Edwin Hodge, François Civil
