Also known as the ''McPherson Tape'', which was mistakenly titled due to the remake, this is the family of the Van Hesse. The first few minutes I admit were a bit awkward but realistic. Some actors phoned it in by playing with the kid daughter too much but the cast surprisingly emulated that feeling you get when you have forced conversations with people you haven't seen in a while. there's also a subplot of the mother drinking excessively and each character has a personality. Though, I was a tad bit annoyed at the playful talk. Once they see the alien and they start panicking, this is where the movie shines.
It's...hard to explain, but the fear escalating and the way the family communicates with each other seems like an actual family. There's so little info on this film. I'm wondering how close these actors were? They're so damn solid when they start getting scared. And the little touches when they try to play cards to calm themselves, this is what normal people do! It's effective because of how the chemistry works. When seeing the 1998 remake, I could tell the chemistry between the cast was essential, something about the 1998 remake felt awkward. The appearance of the actors also look somewhat like family. I can easily see why UFO enthusiasts bought this. But you can tell the masks and aliens aren't realistic. The ship, now I'm wondering how they built that! You don't see a lot and it's probably clever lighting but it's so cool looking and ominous.
Another flaw I feel would be that the camera is a bit too shaky? When the brothers point to the windows, you can't see the supposed alien at the windows? This may also be due to the fact this is clearly a 2nd gen VHS rip and not the original master (which was destroyed in a company fire) so not much detail is seen. Another con would be the ending. In the Remastered DVD version it still has the cut out but there's a short scream added in post. The original VHS version is a bit more subtle. It has static and then the alien looks and it cuts out. I prefer the VHS' editing more, but I feel maybe just hearing them scream in horror in the original would have been a better finale. or just seeing them pass out. There's so much tension built up earlier you can't help but feel the silent ending kind of toned it down. The tension is awesome in this. So many family arguments and dialogue spilling out you believe that an actual family is letting their stress go on everyone with the fear of an apparent threat.
Also perhaps the fate of the two brothers, Eric and Jason, I wish that had a reveal. It's left a mystery but I felt it would have been scarier if they were found dead. There is no blood in this, the fear is just in the reactions, but I do wish there was a horror pay out.
But you'll really enjoy this is if you like a short alien story with an amazing cast that REALLY is underrated. I'm not sure how they pulled it off with a low budget, a very small filming area and simulating how a family acts (with each other kissing mind you and playing with a child on their lap) so well. I think this is a gem and a pioneer in found footage film-making. I wish it got the attention it deserved.
It's...hard to explain, but the fear escalating and the way the family communicates with each other seems like an actual family. There's so little info on this film. I'm wondering how close these actors were? They're so damn solid when they start getting scared. And the little touches when they try to play cards to calm themselves, this is what normal people do! It's effective because of how the chemistry works. When seeing the 1998 remake, I could tell the chemistry between the cast was essential, something about the 1998 remake felt awkward. The appearance of the actors also look somewhat like family. I can easily see why UFO enthusiasts bought this. But you can tell the masks and aliens aren't realistic. The ship, now I'm wondering how they built that! You don't see a lot and it's probably clever lighting but it's so cool looking and ominous.
Another flaw I feel would be that the camera is a bit too shaky? When the brothers point to the windows, you can't see the supposed alien at the windows? This may also be due to the fact this is clearly a 2nd gen VHS rip and not the original master (which was destroyed in a company fire) so not much detail is seen. Another con would be the ending. In the Remastered DVD version it still has the cut out but there's a short scream added in post. The original VHS version is a bit more subtle. It has static and then the alien looks and it cuts out. I prefer the VHS' editing more, but I feel maybe just hearing them scream in horror in the original would have been a better finale. or just seeing them pass out. There's so much tension built up earlier you can't help but feel the silent ending kind of toned it down. The tension is awesome in this. So many family arguments and dialogue spilling out you believe that an actual family is letting their stress go on everyone with the fear of an apparent threat.
Also perhaps the fate of the two brothers, Eric and Jason, I wish that had a reveal. It's left a mystery but I felt it would have been scarier if they were found dead. There is no blood in this, the fear is just in the reactions, but I do wish there was a horror pay out.
But you'll really enjoy this is if you like a short alien story with an amazing cast that REALLY is underrated. I'm not sure how they pulled it off with a low budget, a very small filming area and simulating how a family acts (with each other kissing mind you and playing with a child on their lap) so well. I think this is a gem and a pioneer in found footage film-making. I wish it got the attention it deserved.