The latest in what seems to be a never-ending stream of “found footage” movies, Evidence certainly shows some potential but never really does as well as it could. It’s a film full of some great touches here and there, offset by some big flaws, but it’s far from the best that this particular sub-genre can offer.
Director Howie Askins, working around the ill-conceived script by Ryan McCoy (which lacks context and a number of relevant details), manages to create some tension throughout the movie and the film takes some admirable twists and turns but this isn’t anything that I would wholeheartedly recommend.
Writer Ryan McCoy also stars as Ryan, a man who plans to make a documentary about his friend Brett (played by Brett Rosenberg) while they camp in the woods accompanied by Abi (Abigail Richie) and Ashley (Ashley Bracken). Things quickly get a bit tense when the group starts to hear some strange noises and also catches a glimpse of a creature that can’t be easily identified. It’s not long until the camera starts shaking all over, proper shot composition becomes nothing to worry about and we start getting more than a few shots of blurry ground passing by while people run around in fear.
What does Evidence have going for it? The acting isn’t great but it’s not too bad, so we can give it that. The effects, never dwelt on for too long, are well done and the design work is at least interesting. Then we have the plot itself, full of developments once the action really starts – it certainly throws more ideas onscreen than many other movies of its kind.
So what goes against it? Sadly, almost everything else. As with a number of “found footage” films, the biggest hurdle to enjoying everything is the inability to believe that anyone would keep filming under such duress. The beginning and end give a motive for the camera to keep running but the entire middle section is completely unbelievable, sadly. Then we have those plot developments and ideas. They’re good elements but viewers may as well watch a number of separate short films that attempt to create a similar atmosphere and scenario because there’s not enough onscreen to establish any decent context. I’m all for not being spoonfed every little detail and being allowed to interpret events in my own way but Evidence needs just a little more content to keep things tense and engaging, instead of repetitive, irritating and confusing (the last 20 minutes or so seem to be nothing more than jump scare-run-rest-jump scare-run-rest-jump scare-etc). Worst of all, viewers aren’t even given any good reason for the footage at last coming to light.
It’s not bad at all. But it’s not great.
You can view the Evidence for yourself when it hits DVD on Monday 12th March.
DIRECTOR: HOWIE ASKINS
WRITER: RYAN MCCOY
STARS: RYAN MCCOY, BRETT ROSENBERG, ABIGAIL RICHIE, ASHLEY BRACKEN
RUNTIME: 76 MINS APPROX
COUNTRY: USA
Film Rating: 
