Netflix Movie Review: V/H/S

Found footage films experienced a renaissance after the success of Blair Witch Project. Then, thankfully, quickly went away. Why’d it go away so quickly? Well, probably because a shaking camera is nauseating and gives the audience a headache. But it seems to be going through another appearance as of late, likely because of ultra low production costs, and millions of writers, directors and producers coming out of film school with the means to be able to make a “movie” using something as inexpensive as a cellphone, with a script. Cannibal Holocaust, Man Bites Dog, and Alien Abduction all appeared before Blair Witch, and some really well done films have utilized the method. Paranormal Activity, Cloverfield, even The Bay used super low cost production to add a grit and emotion to intense storylines. Fact remains, if not done correctly, no amount of shaky cam can polish poor writing. V/H/S starts really difficult to take, but once the viewer settles into the production (and the filmmakers stop shaking the camera around endlessly), there are more than a few really interesting concepts and stories here. V/H/S is a series of short stories, told in found tapes.

Tape 56

“Tape 56” is our return point, that the film comes back to several times. A group of young criminals film their exploits, from vandalism to sex offense to theft, and then put their footage online. An unnamed benefactor has employed the group to break into a home and retrieve a VHS tape. This sequence is by far the worst sequence for writing, acting and visual effect. The camera shakes as if it’s being tossed around the group. There’s also a five-minute or more segment where the entire dialogue is the men telling each other to shut up. Unfortunately, none of them shut up. Get through this; some of the others are better.

Amateur Night

The first VHS they find is of a group of three friends who have procured a set of glasses that hide a video camera. The plan is to go to a club, pick up an unsuspecting female, and film a point-of-view pornographic film without her permission. This sequence is interesting only for its supernatural qualities, if you can get past the three friends. I’m relatively sure there are very few if any men of any age that actually act like these three do. Their impression of frat mentality is so over the top I almost tapped out at this point. This sequence progresses smoothly, and holds an interesting conclusion. There are also several biblical references in this section, regarding Lilith of the Talmud or Sheba from the Koran. Certainly not what the protagonists expect. By the end of this sequence the film has fallen into its stride.

Second Honeymoon

“Second Honeymoon” is the tale of a young couple on a road trip through the American southwest; specifically Arizona and Nevada are mentioned. This story was decent, but a bit of a let down after the lead ups to this point. Additionally, the conclusion seemed straightforward, but the turn of plot seems illogical without an apparent motivation. This is one example of a short that needs more time to really tell its full story. Especially disappointing since Ti West directed this segment; West being the only director I was familiar with in this lineup. Ti West also directed 2011’s The Inkeepers, and 2009’s Cabin Fever 2, neither of which were amazing, but both good Halloween films.

Tuesday the 17th

In this segment, a group of friends are going on a camping trip. This feels the most straightforward of the stories, playing out like a campfire haunted-tale, but again; without much resolution. A demonic creature that interferes with the camera, always obscuring its image, haunts the group. Electronic distortion cuts to grisly images, showing the history of their environment as they explore their campground.

“The sick thing that happened to Emily when she was younger”

Rife with overuse plot devices. This entire section is told in video chat conversations between a young woman and her boyfriend. Ghostly figures in the background, images that appear then quickly disappear, and exploration of dark rooms using only the flash of a camera to light shadows. (Bet you’ll never guess what happens as the flash keeps going off!). This one also feels like the classic Body Bags, from Tobe Hooper and John Carpenter. I’d be interested to know if “Hair” were the inspiration for this segment. Sick thing is also one of the few segments that seems to tell the whole story of its vignette, while there is not set “end” to any of them, here the viewer learns everything in the story.

10/31/98

Fifth, and finally, Halloween 1998 tells the story of a group of friends headed to a house party. Coming to the wrong house, which they mistake for a haunted house (perhaps a correct assumption), they explore the house, and discover a cursed ritual taking place. Again, this story has potential, but never gets an opportunity to come to fruition. While all segments are well produced, and some creepy simply for their production value, the vast majority felt like a good start that doesn’t get its opportunity to finish. With a running time near two hours, one or two segments could easily be excised to give the remainder time to round out their stories. With a limited release on October 5th, 2012; V/H/S hit the DVD and Blu-ray market December 4th 2012, as well as VHS on February 5th 2013. Newly released on Netflix instant service  and on Amazon instant video. V/H/S is an interesting concept, with a tired presentation, that is better left as a background film for your next Halloween party, rather than a scare-film to devote two solid hours of attention to. Fans of the genre will find parts they like, but be underwhelmed with the remainder.