In 1999 a string of marketing flooded the internet, in what would be seen as the first major internet-dominant campaign. Coupled with a cryptic website, “The Blair Witch Project” was born. As the revamp of the found-footage genre, the film brought its viewers as close to reality as they’d ever experienced. The marketing did that as well.
Fast forward 20 years.
The film doesn’t hold.
It was scary in 1999. It was scary probably because of the marketing. It was scary because people thought it was real.
And then it wasn’t.
But it is a classic.
If you want a film that is more worhtwhile for supernatural themes and provides what might be one of the scariest experiences you’ll even experience, then watch “VVItch” or “The Conjuring”–both of which are modern classics.
However, the goal is to watch classics and share what I’m watching. Beyond the found-footage approach and the innovative marketing, this movie won’t be one that’ll reappear in this blog. It is one of my least favorites, but it is one that belongs in the pantheon of horror greats (according to many others). It garnered pretty successful reception, even from Roger Ebert. It is what led to so many more, and more effective, horror films. More effective for their ability to last.
Enjoy and move on.
Patrick R. Johnson, MJE 