When _The Blair Witch Project_ arrived in theaters back in 1999, it felt like a breath of fresh air because it moved away from the typical horror films that followed the same predictable formula. It’s true that _The Blair Witch Project_ didn't boast an especially imaginative screenplay, and it’s hard to say whether the acting was truly convincing. Nevertheless, the genuine scares were effectively achieved through the execution of this small indie film, which managed to create a sense of mystery that translated into considerable box office success. As a result, _The Blair Witch Project_ became an unexpected sensation, largely due to its unique approach, something that’s now become a common and overused trope in the found footage genre. Indeed, _The Blair Witch Project_ sparked curiosity and gave rise to a new trend in horror films by offering a fresh perspective on frightening stories through the power of promotion. This “promotion” involved presenting a group of young people—the usual expendable characters in this kind of movie—armed with cameras as they explored woods in Maryland, creating speculation about what remained visible through shaky images while these vulnerable individuals ran for their lives. Thus, the unsettling atmosphere and sense of impending doom experienced by these lost wanderers captured imaginations and demonstrated how smaller horror films could compete with big-budget Hollywood productions. Naturally, _The Blair Witch Project_ tried to capitalize on its initial success, but not without a sequel in 2000’s _Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2_, which didn't make much of an impression. It took another 16 years to distance audiences from the memories of that disappointing follow-up before another installment, **Blair Witch**, appeared. Unfortunately, director Adam Wingard (“You’re Next”, “The Guest”) lacked a clear vision or sufficient energy to transform **Blair Witch** into a truly scary film worthy of its own identity. Wingard and screenwriter Simon Barrett simply created a shadowy imitation of _The Blair Witch Project’s_ unsettling reputation, rendering **Blair Witch** a tired rehash. While there's nothing wrong with revisiting the spirit of an original horror film that revolutionized how audiences view scary movies, there was no excuse for **Blair Witch** to be so uninspired and predictable given its connection to _The Blair Witch Project’s_ legacy. The plot of **Blair Witch** centers on a brother-sister relationship—or rather, a brother searching for his missing sister. James (James Allen McCune) wants to investigate the disappearance of his sister Heather, who vanished in the Black Hills Forest 20 years earlier. He is convinced that she’s alive and well, and may even be part of the Blair Witch legend. So James sets out to find her, accompanied by a group of friends. Among those joining James on his trek into the woods are Lisa (Callie Hernandez), Peter and Ashley, who are a couple, and two tour guides, Lane and Talia (Wes Robinson and Valorie Curry). Lisa has her own reason for going—she wants to film their adventures for a film school project. Thus, James and his crew foolishly pursue the idea of Heather’s survival while Lisa focuses on creating a documentary-style thesis. Predictable chaos soon ensues, something that **Blair Witch** fans have come to expect. The shaky camera work, exaggerated hysterics, and unsettling atmosphere of the woods feel forced and unconvincing. The scares are watered down, and **Blair Witch** doesn’t effectively use its low budget to create mounting tension—at least not to the degree that made the original film more appealing in its minimalist approach to horror. Frequently, **Blair Witch** lacks the creativity and originality of a haunted house's creaky door that needs oiling. There are few genuine shocks or scares that have any impact. The film is a blatant copy of the 1999 movie, which pioneered this kind of woodsy terror. It gets off to a clumsy start with silly moments meant to complement the weak scares. Sadly, the gradual build-up feels ordinary and devolves into typical cheesy slasher fare, complete with the predictable elimination of the young characters. The only positive aspect of **Blair Witch** is its use of updated technology—both shown on screen through the characters’ equipment and in the production itself. Being a louder, flashier film doesn’t automatically make **Blair Witch** a successful found footage horror movie; Wingard's shaky storytelling fails despite these modern filming techniques. Ultimately, transparent scares just aren't enough anymore in the world of horror. Structurally repetitive as it retraces familiar ground, Wingard clearly respects _The Blair Witch Project’s_ legacy, but he failed to convey that appreciation more effectively in this disappointing and uninspired frightener. **Blair Witch** (2016) Vertigo Entertainment 1 hr. 29 mins. Starring: James Allen McCune, Callie Hernandez, Brandon Scott, Valorie Curry, Wes Robinson, Corbin Reid Directed by: Adam Wingard MPAA Rating: R Genre: Horror Critic’s rating: * 1/2 stars (out of 4 stars) (c) **Frank Ochieng** 2016

Source on TMDB