Backcountry (2014)

A big disappointment. The plot could have been good, but the pace of the film is just horrible. The acting by the guy who plays the boyfriend is a disaster. The girl is very good, but it is just a matter that the characters are so badly developed. Camera work sucks big time, with an unnecessary overdose of shaky-cam shots. This movie reminded me of another one from 2010 called Frozen, which is also in the mountains, also survival, but with a pack of wolves replacing the bear of this case. It is a pity actually, because I myself do like survival movies, which in the past used to be good in terms of telling a story. The main problem with this film, and many others of the sort that have come out lately is that they are more focused in the immediate impact caused by gore or sketchy music, rather than working on the visuals that create the necessary climate. Here, they failed at everything. The only reason for which I didn't give it a 1 is because the acting of the girlfriend is actually quite solid. Nevertheless, a waste of time...

Fmovies: Greetings again from the darkness. When the poster for a new movie compares itself to a genuine classic like JAWS, it immediately evokes skepticism and doubt. The first feature film from writer/director Adam MacDonald is based on a true story and somehow blends elements of horror and man vs. nature into a suspense-filled, gory, survivalist tale of a messy relationship.

Alex (Jeff Roop) has romantic visions as he and girlfriend Jenn (Missy Peregrym) head off into a Canadian Provincial Park for backpacking and camping. Alex can't wait to show his citified girl his favorite lake lookout Â… the place he used to hike in his youth. It doesn't take long for the cracks to start showing- both in the relationship and in Alex's outdoorsman skills. With the slow build of dread, we know the couple is headed for something unpleasant Â… thanks to the preview, and the fact that a movie about a relaxing camping trip would be pretty boring.

The Park Ranger (Nicholas Campbell) just shakes his head as Alex refuses his offer of a trail map Â… a not so subtle jab at men for never asking directions. That combined with Alex poking fun at Jenn's road flare, bear spray and cell phone usage provide the foreshadowing necessary for any viewers who appreciate being told where the story is headed. After a canoe ride, the couple hikes to the camp site where they encounter their first brush with nature: a rugged Irish guide (Eric Balfour) who offers his catch of the day served with a heavy dose of machismo. We are left to wonder if and when and how this creepy dude might again appear.

Of course, it's only a matter of time until the couple is lost and we (and they) realize that's the least of their concerns. See, their lack of communication has landed them right in the middle of black bear country Â… hungry black bears. A couple's worst nightmare (a weekend with an incompatible partner) turns into a camper's worst nightmare (being hunted by a bear). It's at this point that Ms. Peregrym takes over the movie and we finally have someone to pull for.

Director MacDonald does follow the Jaws template in teasing us with danger and not showing the bear until deep into the movie, but any other comparison would be quite a stretch. Still, there is plenty of tension and we even get that odd line between horror and humor – involving Jenn's diamond grab in the heat of the moment. Nothing is held back in the fight between man and bear, and we see more than enough in the aftermath.

The park makes for an incredibly beautiful setting and a stunning backdrop for hiking and canoeing and bear fighting. The film could have been titled "Dummies Go Camping", but really the commentary on modern relationships is probably more telling than the reminder of Nature's power. Finally, a tip of the cap to Mr. MacDonald for including the Dwight Twilley song "Looking for the Magic" in the initial car trip Â… great song and fitting to the theme.

Been a long time since i have watched a movie and felt real fear in the pit of my stomach as a result, but there it is. Back Country kept my attention well enough to keep me watching, maybe because i wanted to see what happened to the couple, or maybe because i like the outdoors. Hmm? Dunno but in the end i am glad i watched Back Country. I am a horror fan, and a thriller fan, and , well a movie fan all around, but lately i have been trying to watch a movie that made me feel frightened, and scared deep in my stomach. Weird? maybe, but that is how i used to feel when i watched a truly scary movie unlike now when i find myself grossed out and feeling a little like a just watch something illegal more often than not. Maybe i am becoming jaded? who knows, who cares! This movie made me feel that old nervous and butterflies in my stomach kind of scared so i am grateful! Watch Back Country and enjoy yourself because i sure as heck did!

Backcountry fmovies. Yes this sort of film has been made tons of times before. It is based on a 'true story'. A couple go off into the wilds of a Canadian National Park. Alex is trying to impress girlfriend Jenn and so does not take a map and leaves mobile communication devices behind and they set off to see some stunning nature.

Once out in the wild it soon transpires that Alex is hardly Bear Grylls and you sort of know that something bad is gonna happen. That is about all I can say without doing a plot reveal – but the cover sort of does that anyway.

The acting is all really good as are the production values. The make up is top notch too and there is a genuine atmosphere of menace and fear – which really worked. The plot is where this gets let down as there is not that much of a story and at 88 minutes you sort of feel there should have been more – but as this is based on the truth you can forgive them a bit. Not a bad film but also not a keeper – this is a best go for the rental option type film.

A solid independent film with a good cast

Eric Balfour was NOT the lead as I suspected he would be since he had second top billing on here, but to me it doesn't matter

Because the couple that were in the lead did a really good job and their relationsship seemed natural, they felt like a real couple and that doesn't always happen in movies so I appreciated that

I can't really say too much about the movie without spoiling it, but basically if you like survival movies give it a go

There were some parts where it felt a little slow and some parts where the camera work was in my opinion a little confusing, it most likely was intended as such but still at points I felt like they went a little overboard with the shaky camera and the intentional out of focus going into focus shots, but overall the movie looks good

It had some genuinely scary moments in it though so yeah it's still very much a good movie that I can recommend

Just now while writing this review read that it was shot in only 16 days and it is the directors debut film, and I must say that shows great promise for the future of this director

Backcountry is a good example how one simple premise can still be thrilling with clever production and a few grisly scenes. Using scenery and only minimum amount of characters, it succeeds on creating the sense of isolation and overwhelming helplessness. The movie doesn't venture to cheap scare territory and while it can be slow at times, its modest nature delivers what it sets out to do.

Jenn (Missy Peregrym) and Alex (Jeff Roop) go into a camping trip. The weekend is meant for a romantic escapade to see a beautiful lake, unfortunately they lose their way in the thick forest. The concept is simple, it has been done before, but Backcountry does it with smart approach by keeping the focus on the confused couple and develop their personalities. Both the lead actors deliver convincing performance.

They look like an ordinary couple, complete with their own issues and occasional bickering. It makes it easier for audience to invest on their survival. When the danger comes and they find out the trip isn't going well, the reactions are believable without being overbearing or resorting to excessive screaming and blaming even though some poor decisions have been made.

The movie keeps the flow without distraction, in this case the less is better as build up for the encounter with the threat is silently ominous. Practical effect and makeup do wonder at creating the deterioration of battered man and woman. Relying on only two characters alone could be risky, the film doesn't veer off from its original path, although the pace does stumble on halfway point. Granted, the investment on the couple might take a while.

Backcountry provides a survival tale in its natural form. It may not be fancy, but it stays on it course to deliver a decent thriller.