ALTERED is directed by one of the directors of THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. Straight off the top - I HATE THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. I don't care about the fan-boys who think it's scary/creepy, etc...I found it nauseating due to the shaky camera-work and dull to the point of narcoleptic. ALTERED is from one of the directors of THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, which is why I wasn't in a rush to pick this one up. At the recommendation of a few people I trust, I decided to give it a shot. I have to say, that although I didn't find it the film to be as "BRILLIANT", "EXCELLENT", or "FANTASTIC" as other reviewers - it's an entertaining piece of sci-fi/horror that while flawed, has an interesting premise and is worth checking out.
A trio of hicks who had been abducted by aliens years earlier are bent on revenge. Going back to the abduction-point repeatedly, they finally accomplish their goal, and abduct an alien of their own. They take the creature back to their pal's house (who was also an abductee) to either find out some answers, or mete out a bit of backwoods justice. Thing is, the alien is a wily little creature that isn't easily defeated...
Even though I hated the director's previous film, I have to say that when I heard about the premise of ALTERED, I was intrigued. Luckily for me, the film works on most levels - but I can't say it's anything truly "great" either.
The good points: again, the concept is pretty original. The FX work is pretty damn good for a relatively low-budget film, and I like that there is very little CGI in the film, instead opting for the alien to be a (pretty well-made) costume. There are a few decent gore scenes that are notable, especially the guy that starts deteriorating after being bitten by the alien.
As for low-points: the redneck characters seemed a bit cliché and simple. I personally would have found it more interesting had the abductees been more intelligent individuals. I was also hoping that we'd get to see more revenge on behalf of the humans, instead it turned into more of a typical "us-against-it" film as the alien quickly escapes the abductees grasp.
A decent and entertaining film that I personally thought didn't make the most of it's concept. Worth checking out, but I can't say that ALTERED is anything truly ground-breaking either...7/10
A trio of hicks who had been abducted by aliens years earlier are bent on revenge. Going back to the abduction-point repeatedly, they finally accomplish their goal, and abduct an alien of their own. They take the creature back to their pal's house (who was also an abductee) to either find out some answers, or mete out a bit of backwoods justice. Thing is, the alien is a wily little creature that isn't easily defeated...
Even though I hated the director's previous film, I have to say that when I heard about the premise of ALTERED, I was intrigued. Luckily for me, the film works on most levels - but I can't say it's anything truly "great" either.
The good points: again, the concept is pretty original. The FX work is pretty damn good for a relatively low-budget film, and I like that there is very little CGI in the film, instead opting for the alien to be a (pretty well-made) costume. There are a few decent gore scenes that are notable, especially the guy that starts deteriorating after being bitten by the alien.
As for low-points: the redneck characters seemed a bit cliché and simple. I personally would have found it more interesting had the abductees been more intelligent individuals. I was also hoping that we'd get to see more revenge on behalf of the humans, instead it turned into more of a typical "us-against-it" film as the alien quickly escapes the abductees grasp.
A decent and entertaining film that I personally thought didn't make the most of it's concept. Worth checking out, but I can't say that ALTERED is anything truly ground-breaking either...7/10