Never Hike Alone (2017)

This is an amazing movie by Hollywood standards. Now imagine how much more impressive and better it is knowing that it is a fan made film. *spoilers ahead* Also having the legend himself Thom Matthews reprise his role as the other legend himself, Tommy Jarvis, who is quite possibly the best hero in the horro genre, was just amazing.This film is great and 100% worth your time. Paramount needs to hire these people and make a new movie with them as the directors.

I'm a fan of the "Friday the 13th" franchise, this film just like Jason I honestly didn't see coming but once it came it was one of the best surprises. Fan films have always been hit or miss with me, but this film is thankfully one of those hits.The way the film is handled and directed feels like it could be a lost sequel to the franchise. The production value is on par, I really love the use of the wooded location. Music is also great, they use some of the old tracks we're familiar with in the movies, and there are a few new tracks to keep things fresh. The blood effects are really solid, the scene where the protagonist is closing a wound hurt me watching almost similar to the scene in "First Blood".Cinemagography is great I really like how the film mixes both the P.O.V. and regular cinematography making it seem not too much like one kinda film. The use of the P.O.V. is excellent not just it making the film have a bit of a documentary sense, giving the film a slight realism as if Camp Crystal Lake and Jason could exist but also a participatory factor because in a way the P.O.V. makes us hiker no. 2 as we are with the protagonist the entire way.However what really powers this film is in it's suspense and this film is just great in it, it's the simple cat and mouse premise and that was the right way to go because that's part of what the franchise and slasher films are by their nature. I really like how throughout the film you are just in constant suspense and extremely tense from beginning to end.I really like the fact that Jason throughout the film from the first to a bit of the second half we see flashes and glimpses, letting us know he's around and watching. Despite the fact that we don't see Jason in most scenes were are on constant red alert knowing and thinking he just might pop up again any time any where. Like in one scene where the protagonist is in a room of Crystal Lake there are two windows behind him, I couldn't help but think, ah oh Jason is going to show up on one of them.Once we see Jason himself it doesn't disappoint. The person playing Jason is the director himself and he is just excellent, if they ever think of making a new sequel or a better revival film to "Friday the 13th" I wouldn't mind him playing the role. It's pretty much a physical performance but he really gets it down to a tee, just the walk, movement of his head, behavior it's all there. Though what really gets me is sound of his footsteps which are a loud stomping, it just gave me a chill because it just conveys menace and just the sound of a monster closing in for the kill.However the other villain of the film is "Camp Crystal Lake" itself, there is just a disturbing and oppressive atmosphere thought-out the abandoned camp, you already know the protagonist unknowingly has walked right into Jason's den. Really like some of the shots of the place, from the grit, old wood, rust and dirt, down to even some dried up blood in a place or two you know this place has death written all over it. There are even some ribbons you see hung up with numbers and you already know those are markers of death and the next one has his number on it.But also what makes it good is protagonist himself Kyle he's likable he's sort of one of those extreme hikers/outdoors men whom is just doing one of the things he loves and does best for fun. From his persona it just all the more hope he somehow gets out alive, but of course when it comes to dealing with Jason there are no guarantees. Let alone I love the fact that once again a guy takes the lead which needs to happen more often in horror. Kyle is kinda the third male protagonist to go toe to toe against Jason and the physical confrontations between both of them are solid, their not fancifully choreographed but that's because it's realistic, as if this is what a fight against Jason would be in the real world. But the protagonist holds his own well against danger and we see he doesn't just use just physical force to defend himself but also his wits, which are really the best weapon against Jason.Overall, if your a fan of the "Friday the 13th" franchise then hike to this film, it makes the cut.Rating: 4 stars

Horror is the most frustrating genre for me, yet I am completely in love with it, and I keep coming back, desperately wanting it to succeed. When it works, it really works, but most of the time the genre just refuses to produce decent content. I'd say about every four years, there is one or two horror movies worth watching, and as usual, this isn't one of them.I actually had high hopes for this movie (my standard for horror movies these days are way lower than a normal film, unfortunately) judging by the first ten minutes. After I talked myself into getting past the dumb title, I was willing to give this film a chance, and honestly? The acting and camera work seemed better than what you would normally find in a low budget slasher flick. This excitement I had was shattered pretty quickly. The first thing that was completely idiotic? The main character is inspecting a sign/rope with his back toward the villain as he is getting closer in each frame. Okay, fine, all good. Our main character looks down, and now we see that the villain is about five inches away from the guy. Our main character grabs his knife (only recently noticing the footsteps, for some reason) and turns around. Five inches away, people. Guess what? The villain disappears. Into thin air, nowhere to be seen, and there was absolutely nowhere to hide behind but believe it, it happened. Honestly, this was pretty hard to get past, but alas, I powered through, because I was now viewing this film as a comedy. Another thing that was absolutely hilarious was the sound editing. It's bad. Really bad. The killer's footsteps were over-dramatic, unnecessary stomping. I mean, really? Not to mention it was always in the killer's POV, like, we get it, the villain is walking towards the main character. No need to raise the volume to level ten for this. Also, any solitary movement the main character makes is very exaggerated. In another scene, the guy finds an area completely splattered in blood. Guess what? He continues to look around the house. In all of this mess, I will admit, there was something that was actually creepy in here. I don't know what it was. The shots of the bare tree limbs? The main character's expression while looking off into the distant woods? I don't know, but it still couldn't save this movie.This wasn't even a sixty minute movie, and they still managed to make it absolutely terrible. Horror is something that few are willing to put effort in, I guess. It's a shame, and I can't believe I took the time to write a review about this film, out of all the films.

Going into this knowing it was a fan made story and shortened I was sure what to expect but it delivered on a fun way of rediscovering the camp. There were plenty of throwback moments and details that made the wandering around the camp suspenseful and the movie does a great job building until Jason arrives.The lead actor does a good job making you feel the emotion and keeping the tension up. Once Jason is there we get all the things we love about Friday the 13th movies. The interaction and battle between Jason and the lead were good and kept you in the moment.The ending falls a little short for me and almost feels out of place compared to the explore and survive that the first 45 minutes did a wonderful job storytelling. There is a cool throwback in the final minutes that fans will love but unfortunately I think it actually takes away from how good the first 45 had been.If your fan of Friday the 13th movies definitely check this one out and remember if you find yourself at Camp Blood "Run!"