This infamous alien abduction movie, like many others, claims to be the first ever found footage movie, but it is not. One example, off the top of my head, that preceeds this movie is Manson Family Movies (1984) which consists of faux super-8 "home movies" of the Manson family's cult life and murderous exploits.
This film is surprisingly well-done, considering the hundreds, if not thousands, of found footage movies that followed suit. The actors seem to have a genuine feel of an actual family, and there is a definite sense of tension and dread, although it is occasionally marred by some dragging moments, and a somewhat lackluster ending. The UPN remake from the late 1990s was pretty hokey, with completely over-the-top acting and unbelievable characters. Another thing that makes this version better is the lack of interspersed interviews with various "professionals" who are obviously reading from cue cards, like in the remake.
The fact that some people STILL think that this is some government cover-up, and that there really is some authentic VHS tape floating around out there is both laughable and embarrassing. Another weird thing about the retitling of this movie from UFO Abduction to the much-whispered-in-UFO- message-boards McPherson tape is that the name of the family in this original version isn't even McPherson, it's Van Heese. McPherson was the name of the family in the UPN/Dick Clark remake.
Worth watching for UFO or found footage enthusiasts, but to be frank, anyone else may find this movie rather tedious and boring.
This film is surprisingly well-done, considering the hundreds, if not thousands, of found footage movies that followed suit. The actors seem to have a genuine feel of an actual family, and there is a definite sense of tension and dread, although it is occasionally marred by some dragging moments, and a somewhat lackluster ending. The UPN remake from the late 1990s was pretty hokey, with completely over-the-top acting and unbelievable characters. Another thing that makes this version better is the lack of interspersed interviews with various "professionals" who are obviously reading from cue cards, like in the remake.
The fact that some people STILL think that this is some government cover-up, and that there really is some authentic VHS tape floating around out there is both laughable and embarrassing. Another weird thing about the retitling of this movie from UFO Abduction to the much-whispered-in-UFO- message-boards McPherson tape is that the name of the family in this original version isn't even McPherson, it's Van Heese. McPherson was the name of the family in the UPN/Dick Clark remake.
Worth watching for UFO or found footage enthusiasts, but to be frank, anyone else may find this movie rather tedious and boring.