The Plot

A group of filmmakers set out to make the first 3D found footage horror movie, but find themselves IN a found footage horror movie when the evil entity from their film escapes into their behind-the-scenes footage

The Good

The slasher genre has Scream, and now, the found footage genre has its equivalent in Steven DeGennaro’s fantastically written horror which sends up the genre perfectly, yet still manages to adhere to the rules. Focusing on the making-of documentary, Found Footage 3D sees 6 budding filmmakers trek out to a lonely cabin to try and break new mould in the found footage genre by adding a 3D element. Headed by the arrogant writer/lead actor Derek (Carter Roy), the film mixes it’s film-within-a-film neatly into the storyline as Derek’s idea, titled Spectre, struggles to stay alive with its ending still in limbo and a 3D enthusiasm for its lead character stapled in as a last minute explanation for the films stereoscopic style.Where Found Footage really succeeds is in its on the nose humour and ironic approach to the rules of the genre.

It’s not all tongue in cheek though. In its heart Found Footage is still a worthy addition to the genre and is better than most of the films that are churned out of the franchise these days. As director Andrew (Tom Saporito) wisely acknowledges, a found footage film needs to answer two main questions correctly in order for it to work, first: why are we filming? and second: why are we STILL filming? While Spectre doesn’t succeed in this respect, especially in terms of the second question, Found Footage manages to find a way to answer both perfectly.

Then there’s the horror element. Most of this is done through it’s irony, with Spectre’s scenes setting up an incoming jump scare for the audience which is practically pre warned, only to jump out before the fictional cameras start rolling. In addition to this we have Derek’s on set antics in which he attempts to keep the reality of the found footage idea alive outside of the film, adding to the unease.

The Bad

While Found Footage manages to skirt around most of the problems that come with the genre, there are still some elements that occasionally seep into the film that unfortunately can’t be completely deleted. One such problem is the camerawork, most of which is fairly stable but especially in its final moments becomes much more haphazard and travel sickness inducing.

The Ugly Truth

Steven DeGennaro has struck gold with the found footage genre in the same way that Scream did with the slasher, 20 years previously. It might not be enough to breathe new life into the idea that has been done to death by now, but it’s certainly one of the best attempts in a long time.

Review by Johnny Ellis