The Expedition is better than Blair Witch 2 and The Last Broadcast put together.
Based on true events
This film is based on the true events that occurred on October 31st, 2004 in Saratoga County. Five Canadian filmmakers set out on a supernatural expedition to film a documentary on the Saratoga Homestead Asylum. Unfortunately, only four of the crew members exited the building the next morning. New Blood Entertainment compiled and edited all actual footage with re-enacted sequences to reveal in detail what occurred on that cold Halloween night.
The Expedition is a Blair Witch clone that has good acting and no small amount of atmosphere....five Canadian filmmakers investigate an abandoned tuberculosis clinic that’s purported to be haunted. Only four come back out. What we are seeing is the “actual footage” interspersed with re-enactment sequences.
The five actors assembled to pose as filmmakers are quite convincing as they navigate the huge clinic. Even charged with the task of trying to play “real,” many will try to overact. This is a pitfall the actors assembled avoid, and I am no end to grateful. For instance, they’re investigating a rooftop chapel when “Nigel” (played by the film’s director Nigel Hartwell) sees…something. But rather than put on the screaming fit and resort to histrionics, he almost laughs it off. He figures that stress is playing tricks on his mind. Because ghosts don’t exist…right?
It is at this point that I must point out that Hartwell has the presence of mind to fix a problem many had with The Blair Witch Project. No, the camera does not shake.
Something else that works is the location of the clinic. This isn’t a set, but rather an actual derelict building. It’s large and expansive and creepy as all hell. Silent Hill-ish, if you will. And the digital camera work helps make it REAL, which involves more talent than you’d think. I can prove it, too. Remember that awesome movie The Descent? Do you remember that ass-blister of a movie The Cave? Now for extra bonus points, tell me which one was shot in an actual cave and which one was shot on a set.
The Expedition is better than Blair Witch 2 and The Last Broadcast put together. This Hartwell fellow knows what’s scary. The screener I was given had trailers for two of his other movies on it. It’s a testament to how much of the movie worked for me to say that I wouldn’t be averse to seeing THOSE movies…Fatally Yours Review
Produced: 2006
Director: NIGEL HARTWELL
Cast: ANTHONY CORTESE, JESSICA BRANT, BILL LUCAS, NIGEL HARTWELL
Genre: Horror
Running Time: 107 Min
Rating: R
DVD Features:
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