For some reason I find horror movies about these reclusive yet majestic creatures fascinating. I am of course talking about Bigfoot. For a long time they were potrayed as kind, gentle creatures, for example: the movie Bigfoot and the Hendersons (1987). Then, things got crazy and our irrational fears of these majestic creatures invaded our popular culture spreading like sasquatch urine on a tree. It is akin to what happened to the image of sharks after the movie Jaws. Sharks are not violent, indeed they have been known to rescue fishermen, and stop dolphins attacking children. Ok... I am joking, Sharks are evil, but is this movie any good? Short answer is yes.
Cast your minds back to 1987, America was ruled by a kindly gentleman and ex actor named Ronald and people were discovering the delights/dangers of cocaine. They were the best of times, we thought they would never end. Into this bliss a movie was called forth from the white lines at the edge of a creative mirror reflecting this optimism, Big Foot and the Hendersons (1987). The plot of Bigfoot and the Hendersons involved George Henderson hitting a bigfoot with his car. Doing what anyone would do they take it home and let it live with them. Turns out bigfoot is a nice guy. Exists has a similiar plot, but turns out bigfoot is a killing machine. A trip to a cabin in the woods turns into a fight to stay alive after four friends hit what they think is an animal on the drive up. Will any of them live to tell the tale? Or will we just have to watch their found footage movie instead?
Exists is yet another found footage movie, this time from the director of The Blair Witch Project, but we wont hold that against this movie. This is actually a very entertaining bigfoot movie. Unlike a lot of found footage we actually have interesting scenes at the start of the movie instead of the usual slow pace until the final act. The actions of the four friends are all quite believable within the context of how you might react to being hunted by a bigfoot. They behave in practical ways to try and survive and are resourceful. The acting is generally good, something that found footage movies struggle with. The special effects are reasonably done, as are the action scenes. The creature itself sometimes looks convincing, other times it reminded me of Professor Bobo from MST3K. Compared to a movie like Willow Creek, however, this is like the Godfather of bigfoot movies.
6 out of 10
Summary: if you like Bigfoot movies you should check this one out but bear in mind it is found footage.