Backcountry

Greetings again from the darkness. When the poster for a new movie compares itself to a genuine classic like JAWS, it immediately evokes skepticism and doubt. The first feature film from writer/director Adam MacDonald is based on a true story and somehow blends elements of horror and man vs. nature into a suspense-filled, gory, survivalist tale of a messy relationship.

Alex (Jeff Roop) has romantic visions as he and girlfriend Jenn (Missy Peregrym) head off into a Canadian Provincial Park for backpacking and camping. Alex can't wait to show his citified girl his favorite lake lookout … the place he used to hike in his youth. It doesn't take long for the cracks to start showing- both in the relationship and in Alex's outdoorsman skills. With the slow build of dread, we know the couple is headed for something unpleasant … thanks to the preview, and the fact that a movie about a relaxing camping trip would be pretty boring.

The Park Ranger (Nicholas Campbell) just shakes his head as Alex refuses his offer of a trail map … a not so subtle jab at men for never asking directions. That combined with Alex poking fun at Jenn's road flare, bear spray and cell phone usage provide the foreshadowing necessary for any viewers who appreciate being told where the story is headed. After a canoe ride, the couple hikes to the camp site where they encounter their first brush with nature: a rugged Irish guide (Eric Balfour) who offers his catch of the day served with a heavy dose of machismo. We are left to wonder if and when and how this creepy dude might again appear.

Of course, it's only a matter of time until the couple is lost and we (and they) realize that's the least of their concerns. See, their lack of communication has landed them right in the middle of black bear country … hungry black bears. A couple's worst nightmare (a weekend with an incompatible partner) turns into a camper's worst nightmare (being hunted by a bear). It's at this point that Ms. Peregrym takes over the movie and we finally have someone to pull for.

Director MacDonald does follow the Jaws template in teasing us with danger and not showing the bear until deep into the movie, but any other comparison would be quite a stretch. Still, there is plenty of tension and we even get that odd line between horror and humor – involving Jenn's diamond grab in the heat of the moment. Nothing is held back in the fight between man and bear, and we see more than enough in the aftermath.

The park makes for an incredibly beautiful setting and a stunning backdrop for hiking and canoeing and bear fighting. The film could have been titled "Dummies Go Camping", but really the commentary on modern relationships is probably more telling than the reminder of Nature's power. Finally, a tip of the cap to Mr. MacDonald for including the Dwight Twilley song "Looking for the Magic" in the initial car trip … great song and fitting to the theme.

Two's company, and all that. Alex and Jenn, embarking on a backpacking trek through the Canadian forests, are such good company that when Brad joins them, he spoils the balance, no matter how much he ingratiates himself. Jeff Roop and Missy Peregrym play the couple, and Eric Balfour is Brad, and the further he is on screen, the less likeable he seems. The Canadian Ranger, played by Nicholas Campbell, completes the modest main cast list. They're all so well played, it doesn't matter that we have to wait a long time for any of the expected attacks to come.

When they do, they don't disappoint. Director and writer Adam MacDonald, in his debut feature, ensures that tensions are ratcheted up a few notches as the film goes on, with many scenes full of perfectly judged jeopardy that also prove to be surprisingly gory. Only the finale seems a little anti-climactic. My score is 7 out of 10.

I've actually seen documentaries relating instances of bear attack that are almost exactly as this movie plays out. I actually looked at the bonus features to find out if the movie was based on fact. It's a beautifully shot movie, nature is everywhere and, of the forest, one gets a real sense of the damp, the cold, the spookiness, and the awesome beauty. And I get the themes the creators aimed for, the survival instinct coming to the fore, finding inner strength. But the other more dominant dynamic is the relationship of the couple, and I get what the creators are trying to portray, and they do a great job. If you like movies with very honest intentions about ordinary contemporary people and their ups and downs and how they evolve with being out of their comfort zone or unforeseen circumstance, (alas such is life!), then I'm sure this confident exploration will not disappoint. For me, with a title like Backcountry, I wanted more. More disasters, disasters coming earlier in the picture, more tension, and, call me spoilt, but I think we needed more of the bear.

Been a long time since i have watched a movie and felt real fear in the pit of my stomach as a result, but there it is. Back Country kept my attention well enough to keep me watching, maybe because i wanted to see what happened to the couple, or maybe because i like the outdoors. Hmm? Dunno but in the end i am glad i watched Back Country. I am a horror fan, and a thriller fan, and , well a movie fan all around, but lately i have been trying to watch a movie that made me feel frightened, and scared deep in my stomach. Weird? maybe, but that is how i used to feel when i watched a truly scary movie unlike now when i find myself grossed out and feeling a little like a just watch something illegal more often than not. Maybe i am becoming jaded? who knows, who cares! This movie made me feel that old nervous and butterflies in my stomach kind of scared so i am grateful! Watch Back Country and enjoy yourself because i sure as heck did!

A solid independent film with a good cast

Eric Balfour was NOT the lead as I suspected he would be since he had second top billing on here, but to me it doesn't matter

Because the couple that were in the lead did a really good job and their relationsship seemed natural, they felt like a real couple and that doesn't always happen in movies so I appreciated that

I can't really say too much about the movie without spoiling it, but basically if you like survival movies give it a go

There were some parts where it felt a little slow and some parts where the camera work was in my opinion a little confusing, it most likely was intended as such but still at points I felt like they went a little overboard with the shaky camera and the intentional out of focus going into focus shots, but overall the movie looks good

It had some genuinely scary moments in it though so yeah it's still very much a good movie that I can recommend

Just now while writing this review read that it was shot in only 16 days and it is the directors debut film, and I must say that shows great promise for the future of this director