Hunt for the Skinwalker

I was so looking forward to this. There has been so much hype around this ranch and a sort of mystical secrecy. The movie was 75% too long, presented in an unscientific way and lacked any real information. It was all third hand information and hearsay. Considering that top scientists (PhD level), spent 10 years studying things, there was a distinct lack of data of any kind. The production was so slow and boring, I was waiting for it to finish.

I can tell this project was a labour of love for the director. And for someone who hasn't read the book, this would be a good documentary to check out if you are interested in the subject. But despite the mentions early on in the film of 'how much has happened since the book was written', they barely touch on any of that. There is maybe about 10 minute of material a little past the midway point of the film that is anything new. While it's nice to actually see the property, there's plenty of ways to see it now on YouTube. Other than that, it's just endless witness stories, and really not much else. I am disappointed that I paid (and the price I paid) to see this as it doesn't remotely live up to the hype. The only reason I am giving it the rating I am is because for someone not expecting new information or wanting to read the book, it would serve as a good introduction to the topic. Though a fairly boring one.

Skinwalker Ranch is an incredibly interesting topic worthy of a feature documentary. Unfortunately Hunt For The Skinwalker is a very disappointing, disjointed, and flawed attempt.

The archive footage and interviews with George Knapp are, for the most part, excellent. Anyone familiar with Knapp's work should know what to expect, and it is incredibly disappointing that relatively little of this film is made up of the video footage.

Outside of this? The director has a fascination with the most mundane aspects of the area surrounding Skinwalker Ranch: UFOs. And while UFOs may be of interest to a lot of people, the fact there are much more interesting and strange recorded aspects entirely ignored in the newer footage really lets it down.

Another thing that lets the film down is the direction and editing. The simple lack of awareness to even consider a better mic on his camera is the least of his problems. He is overstated in wanting to present himself as more than he is when he could have shown himself as a better director if he simply constructed an 80 minute film from the aforementioned archive footage. Reiterating the points made by Knapp and the archive footage repeatedly after every scene made an already badly paced and poorly edited documentary into an outright slog.

Also, Robbie Williams turns up. So there's that for anyone who wants to change some lyrics to reflect the sinister occurences, because seeing Stoke's own Robbie as a possible skinwalker is...great. 'It's time to move cows' bodies' etc.

A hotbed of paranormal activity? Thousands of reported experiences? Thirty hours of footage? Then where the hell is any of it? This documentary is utterly pointless - just a dry narration of past events with zero payoff. All fart, no smell.

Thank goodness I only rented it. If I'd bought this, I would've returned it immediately. I'm writing this review halfway through because, frankly, I've seen enough. The scathing reviews don't lie - this is all hype and recycled stories. A complete waste of time.

While the topic is certainly interesting it should have been cut to a maximum of 45mins.The stylistic choice to write out quotes in big bold letters is boring and unnecessary at best and nothing else than a time killer. The first 20minutes are well known footage with no direct relation to Skinwalker and too much information how special this documentary is. Interviews had little information but where needlessly overdramaticed. (yawn) Probably best watched in x2 speed.