The River

If you want an idea of what the extraordinary 8 part show, The River, is really like then you may have seen The Dinosaur Project (2012), or to a lesser degree Anaconda (1997), especially the found-footage camera techniques of the first example, or the wonderful characters of the second. The River is a startlingly original supernatural thriller, full of really good action tension and supported by a creepy suspenseful story, that has several alarming evolutions. Each episode features at least one or two good cgi sequences, low key but impressive and believable, nothing like the giant snakes of Anaconda, but pulling their weight. It all winds and treks with bucketloads of sweat and terror toward an unexpected and satisfying end, leaving room for more if ever there is a second series, but not ripping us off. Found-footage dramas are often frustratingly hard to watch either because of the camera shake or because at important moments the camera simply loses focus or gives us rushed impressions of the ground as people flee. The River never suffers this problem as so many cameras are used, from shoulder cams, or from static cameras set up around camps and or from cameras set up all over the boat. In fact, I think the format helped the editing and lent a great weight to the possibilities for extra suspense. The use of light was really impressive. Where raw nature crept in, especially insects or storms, it was also impressive but should have been much more so (don't expect to see shots of jaguars or monkeys or capybaras). I thought there was a lot of over-dramatisation, but when I think back I can't quite put a finger on where believability lost ground, but certainly the profound emotional ties in this story lead to a lack of common sense here and there. Then again, maybe that's a good thing. The River is a rare gem that all horror and sci-fi fans need to experience. It is definitely an experience!

I hated lost, but this is 'lostesque' it is just an amazing adventure. Each episode could be an episode in the twilight zone, but they have strung it together with the "Searching for Dr Cole" theme.

I loved it, I found myself glued to each episode, there are just no dull parts. I don't know if they will or can hold this together for a second season, but so far it is amazing.

Every film of 'magic', 'exorcism', 'paranormal', 'mythology' etc, is in this series - you watch the first episode and wonder if it can keep it up - but in my humble opinion each episode just gets better. I am not easily fooled into watching and being sucked into a series, this one had me captivated.

Of course there are some downfalls, like "How do they keep that cell phone, or video camera, charged for months", but who cares, the show is great!

Please, Please keep up the great work, don't let this show die the normal death of series 2 mediocrity.

WARNING: This is not a show for hard materialists and positivist types. will no doubt 'offend' or 'bore' them somehow. That said, maybe that is why I love it. No 'Darwin' this and that. Not a single line bashing religion or God. Various people from cultures who are actually portrayed as PEOPLE, not 'noble savages' or 'lazy Latino' or the like. Very little PC at all. Very apolitical. Like a breath of fresh air.

Interesting take on the style. A great cast. The effects are more movie house than TV. BIG budget stuff.

The subject is a fascinating one involving mythology and 'magic' and is not bogged down by lame 'nerdcore' explanations of every aspect. Scientific dogma is shattered in the first 15 minutes of the first episode, and the viewer is invited down the Rabbit hole in style. Great show. 'There's Magic out there!' and it's called 'The River'.

The River. Not exactly a show title that inspires fear or intrigue. The show itself is a supernatural themed horror filmed a la documentary style. A documentary style show that seems to have gotten rid of the shaky camera styles and some of the other annoying camera techniques that some have learned to not like.

The pilot was decent enough; however, I do not believe the show really finds itself until after episode 4 or 5 where it really starts to pickup. There is an adventure team similar to the TV Show Destination Truth that is sent to the Amazons most remote areas to find a missing adventure TV star. Along the way the encounter ghosts, possessions, plagues, a mysterious tribe of head hunters and also a shadowy group of natives that seem to resemble angels? They seem to have scars on their back below their shoulder bones where they apparently have cut off their wings. OK so now we are getting somewhere!

By the time we hit episode 7 the fear has finally reached a new pinnacle. *SPOILERS* For me Episode 7 is what this show should really be! The group wanders into the forest in the most remote region of the Amazon only to encounter what is a very secretive and undoubtedly illegal genetic research facility (not unlike 'The Hive' research facility you see in the movie Resident Evil). The facility appears to be recently destroyed, it is a very large complex of building seeming very out of place located in the middle of the jungle. Upon searching the abandoned facility they manage to find a mass grave in the basement of the main building with corpses that appear to be 'half eaten' and rotting. At this point the show takes on an almost movie like quality inspiring fear, and mystery. This is getting good! It very quickly becomes clear they are not alone...there is fresh blood and recently dismembered body parts in the medical facility indicating recent activity. The group manages to find one survivor, a member of the missing TV show hosts original entourage who seems traumatized having managed to survive for weeks in the building. She warns them of an impending attack of what can only be described as zombies on steroids, or perhaps a living version of infected humans similar to what is seen in the show 28 days later. They are chased by the zombies running for their lives until they manage to barricade themselves into a room while the horde tries to break down their door,,,,what a show!

Thats a taste of what you will find in this series. Admittedly I found that some of the episodes were a little boring; however, there are also episodes that are amazing like episode 7. I truly hope that the episode 7 excitement and level of quality is a sign of what is to come on future episodes for season 2.

Lost in the dark shadows of the Amazon rain forest the group encounters evil magics, ghosts and all sorts of paranormal entities that really seem to add some awesomeness to this show! All the excitement that can be seen in some of the really good episodes is also hurt by the episodes that are not that great. I believe the show has the potential to be truly great and a cult classic if done properly.

If Netflix picks up season 2 of the series there will be hope for it yet! I would like to see the show take on a more 'the walking dead' type spin- I mean zombies in the amazon rain forest!?! what could be better than this!

Good show, great potential. I have great hopes for Season 2 and go ahead and enjoy season 1 !

After reading other reviews, I see that "The River" is a love it or hate it kind of show. My conclusion, if you were a Lost fan, you'll be a fan of this show. I personally like this show. It's different than other shows on TV. The purpose of the show is to keep you on the edge of your seat, and it definitely does that for me.If you're usually critical of shows then you'll find things to be critical of in The River, but for the most part, the acting is believable enough, the plot is simple, the filming adds to the suspense, and it keeps me guessing. I was a Lost fan, and this show really fills the void Lost left behind. . .