CameronCashman

History Channel's overlooked original series Project Blue Book combines top-notch TV storytelling, an engrossing story and likable characters with high-quality production, stunning cinematography and frequently impressive special effects to give us the best UFO/alien conspiracy series since X-Files. What makes Project Blue Book even more intriguing is its period setting and cases that are based on the real-life investigations of J. Allen Hynek during his time at Project Blue Book.

The characters are wonderfully brought to life by the incredibly talented cast, which includes Game of Thrones' Aiden Gillen as Allen Hynek, Vampire Diaries' Michael Malarkey as Captain Michael Quinn, Laura Mennell as Mimi Hynek, and Neil McDonough and Michael Harney as Generals Harding and Valentine. Every single one of the cast brings their A-game and the character interactions are frequently just as thrilling as the UFO sightings they are investigating. Hynek and Quinn's lovable dynamic keep the show grounded, and they play off each other well.

The show's writing is excitingly subversive, frequently playing with genre tropes and conventions both by playing into them and turning them on their heads when necessary. While there's certainly no lack of extravagant flying saucer sightings and shadowy glimpses of aliens and Men in Black, the show always has one foot planted firmly in historical reality. As a UFO enthusiast who is familiar with many of the real-life cases adapted for the show, it's clear that the writers do diligent research and stick very closely to the purported facts. Fans of UFOlogy and the paranormal are in for a treat with the series' depictions of famous cases like The Flatwoods Monster and the Hopkinsville Goblin incident.

But just as exciting as the factual plot points are the fictional ones, and Blue Book presents a unique take on classic UFO conspiracy lore. Perhaps my favorite element of the show is the technique of never coming right out and revealing the truth behind each case: you're always left wondering if the UFO witness was telling the truth or not.

Finally, the series is technically competent from a filmmaking standpoint. The cinematography is consistently impressive, and the sound, lighting, and editing blend seamlessly into the narrative.

Sometimes I have a hard time giving pieces of media a rating higher than an 8, but I truly feel Project Blue Book is top-notch TV, up there with the best.

I have to say, after reading some reviews I wasn't expecting much, but I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn't great, for sure, it took from pretty much every backwoods horror/Blair Witch Project type movie, but at the end of the day, I really like those kind of movies.

I was most impressed by the monster. The makeup was actually quite spectacular and creepy, it looked great. There were only a few jump scares but they weren't cheap, there were genuine jump scares without that annoying loud "bwong" sound. (You know what I'm talking about.)

It starts out kinda shaky, the beginning of the film builds and loses atmosphere and it feels kind of awkward, the acting isn't anything special; but the last 40 minutes were great. The ending was kind of darkly comedic and a little goofy, but it tied everything up very well without just coming out and explaining the movie.

Overall nothing new or innovative, just another entry in the ever growing library of found footage movies, but entertaining at the very least.