Random Review: Blair Witch (2016) by J.P.

Directed by Adam Wingard and written by Simon Barrett. It is the third film in the Blair Witch series and a direct sequel to The Blair Witch Project. The film stars James Allen McCune, Callie Hernandez, Brandon Scott, Corbin Reid, Wes Robinson, and Valorie Curry. The film follows a group of college students and their local guides who venture into the Black Hills Forest in Maryland to uncover the mysteries surrounding the disappearance 20 years ago of Heather Donahue, the sister of one of the characters. Initially, the film's connection to the Blair Witch franchise was kept secret, with the film having been shot under the fake title, The Woods. The initial theater for the screening was filled with posters for the fake film. After the screening (during which audiences realized that the film was a sequel), all the promotional material in the theater was changed to reflect the film's actual title.(WIKI)

We have chosen not to recognize Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2, and will henceforth refer to Blair Witch as the official sequel to The Blair Witch Project. Also, just to go on record, this reviewer (J.P.) is not a fan of the original film. I do recognize that it paved it a way for a new previously undeveloped genre of horror known as found footage that has grown exponentially since. Again, I would not call myself a fan of the filming style, although it does have its moments (see [REC]). I was also excited to hear about Adam's project The Woods, was not excited to hear it was actually a Blair Witch sequel, but firmly believed that if anyone could make the series better it was Mr. Wingard. Like most critics I would agree that is far better than its predecessor, remember Book of Shadows does not exist in our world, so yes, I am saying better than the original. Unlike what most critics would like you to believe, Wingard does have an amazing command of horror elements, making scenes of the film legitimately scary as hell.

Sure, all the standard found footage elements are there, shaky cam, glitching video, jump scares on the peripheral, someone yelling to shut the camera off, a pull away or two. Wingard even unapologetically throws in a face close up  but not to tell us how scared the character is but to offer a peek behind them. Where the film excels even more is the way it throws us out of comfort zones with tunnel vision, use of sound, and messing with our phobias. My favorite evidence of such while in a tree a character tries to retrieve a drone, at night, with a flashlight. a jump scare later that defies logic! If you're a fan of the original this one will be better. If your like me and give or take the original, Blair Witch will be a newer better experience for you.