DIRECTOR: Steven Monroe. WRITER: Michael Worth RUNTIME: 90 minutes. LOCATIONS: Williams, Flagstaff and Coconino Nat. Forest, Arizona. YEAR OF RELEASE: 2006.
THE PLOT: After an unfortunate auto accident, a woman (Cerina Vincent) is taken captive by a gang of bank robbers who are forced to flee into the Arizona timber by foot. They are followed closely by a posse made up of policemen and old Vietnam vets. The two groups ultimately team-up (sort of) when they encounter a Bigfoot creature who is picking 'em off one by one.
Although I doubt the creature exists, I'm fascinated by the Bigfoot legend and enjoy films on the subject. "Sasquatch Mountain" is one of the better ones. It was originally titled "Devil on the Mountain" and, in fact, that's the title that appears in the DVD version of the movie (but not the DVD cover).
To be expected, some people smugly laugh at the picture, calling it unintentionally funny and cheesy, but nothing could be further from the truth. This is actually a character study using the Bigfoot legend as a stage. The story and characters are taken seriously and there's no camp to be found. The reason some automatically laugh at the movie is because the idea of Sasquatch has become a big joke, which is understandable.
I should point out that if you're expecting a mindless slasher flick with Bigfoot in the evil Jason role you'll be disappointed. The film "Abominable" (2006) is a film along these lines; and it's a good film for what it is. There's nothing wrong with this approach, it's just that "Sasquatch Mountain" shoots for something deeper.
The screenplay was written, believe it or not, by Michael Worth who stars in the picture as one of the bank robbers, Vin. The guy comes off as a 35-year-old adolescent who is more likable than scary, even though he has a slight dangerous edge.
NOTEWORTHY ITEMS:
FINAL ANALYSIS: While "Sasquatch Mountain" is a low-budget TV movie with the requisite flaws it's worthwhile for all the above reasons. It should be given credit for not being another mindless monster flick; the Bigfoot legend is simply a frame for something deeper, which is relayed in a veritably venerable manner. Not everyone can look beyond the Sasquatch trappings; I understand this. I could and found it quite entertaining, and even moving.
GRADE: B
THE PLOT: After an unfortunate auto accident, a woman (Cerina Vincent) is taken captive by a gang of bank robbers who are forced to flee into the Arizona timber by foot. They are followed closely by a posse made up of policemen and old Vietnam vets. The two groups ultimately team-up (sort of) when they encounter a Bigfoot creature who is picking 'em off one by one.
Although I doubt the creature exists, I'm fascinated by the Bigfoot legend and enjoy films on the subject. "Sasquatch Mountain" is one of the better ones. It was originally titled "Devil on the Mountain" and, in fact, that's the title that appears in the DVD version of the movie (but not the DVD cover).
To be expected, some people smugly laugh at the picture, calling it unintentionally funny and cheesy, but nothing could be further from the truth. This is actually a character study using the Bigfoot legend as a stage. The story and characters are taken seriously and there's no camp to be found. The reason some automatically laugh at the movie is because the idea of Sasquatch has become a big joke, which is understandable.
I should point out that if you're expecting a mindless slasher flick with Bigfoot in the evil Jason role you'll be disappointed. The film "Abominable" (2006) is a film along these lines; and it's a good film for what it is. There's nothing wrong with this approach, it's just that "Sasquatch Mountain" shoots for something deeper.
The screenplay was written, believe it or not, by Michael Worth who stars in the picture as one of the bank robbers, Vin. The guy comes off as a 35-year-old adolescent who is more likable than scary, even though he has a slight dangerous edge.
NOTEWORTHY ITEMS:
- Although the film is a low-budget straight-to-video flick it's a well-made film, unlike "Sasquatch Hunters" (2005) and "Sasquatch" (2002), which both have some amateurish qualities.
- The score is great, sometimes even moving, giving the film a palpable reverent quality.
- Although the set-up is a bit contrived (the way the bank robbers get a hostage and flee on foot), the story starts to pull you in at the half-hour mark when the posse pursues the gang in the woods. There are numerous well-written character-defining episodes that successfully capture the viewer's attention.
- For instance, the lead bank robber, Travis (Craig Wasson), laments how his father never paid him any attention growing up. I know what you're thinking -- aw, poor baby -- but the movie successfully shows the correlation between adult wellness and healthy parental relationships, in particularly with one's father-figure. Often children from dysfunctional families spend their entire lives trying to make up for the damage done by clueless parents.
- I also like the way Travis (Wasson) and others are shown not totally poisoned by evil, despite being bank robbers, e.g. Travis does a selfless deed without hesitation later in the film. It's a good scene. Not to mention, Vin (Michael Worth) comes off as more misguided than malevolent; though Harlan (Lance Henriksen) doesn't give in to his charm one bit.
- To be expected in a character study, the screenplay has some great dialogue and lines. For instance, Travis states: "No matter how hard you try or how high you get there's always some devil on the mountain waiting to knock you back down" or the Asian girl to Cerina: "Everyone has scars, but not everyone has the option of hiding behind a pretty smile."
- The film features no less than three beautiful women -- a Brunette (Cerina Vincent), a redhead (Lance's daughter in the story, played by Melanie Monroe) and the Asian bank Robber (Karen Kim) who comes off unattractive only because she's so bitter. Both Cerina and Melanie are magnificent. Melanie is the definition of spirituality.
- There's a good subplot about Lance Henriksen being a laughingstock for the past dozen years. His wife had recorded a vague video of the creature on the day she was killed by a hit-and-run. The video put the town on the map as a tourist attraction but made him an object of ridicule. Will he ever be redeemed?
- Although the Sasquatch kills in the story, he is shown in a sympathetic light (unlike "Abominable" and "Sasquatch Hunters").
- The DVD features a worthwhile 20-minute "Making Of" Documentary.
FINAL ANALYSIS: While "Sasquatch Mountain" is a low-budget TV movie with the requisite flaws it's worthwhile for all the above reasons. It should be given credit for not being another mindless monster flick; the Bigfoot legend is simply a frame for something deeper, which is relayed in a veritably venerable manner. Not everyone can look beyond the Sasquatch trappings; I understand this. I could and found it quite entertaining, and even moving.
GRADE: B