Urban Explorers: Into the Darkness (2007) User Reviews

Into the Darkness

[MobyTontyn · 7/10 · 10 July 2011]

Before I write anything about the film, I'd like to mention I am partial to an explore occasionally. It is a great hobby and ties in with photography brilliantly! I was excited about watching this as you can imagine, there aren't many films about us!

This documentary keeps your attention and is not boring by any means. My problem with it, however, is that is focuses too much on the explorers' everyday lives. I know this was the point of it, so show they had normal lives, but it took up too much time for me. That aside, the documentary has several great explore scenes, in the US, UK, and France.

This film can be watched by someone who has never heard the term 'Urban Explorers' - a lot of the film is explorers talking about what motivates them.

Overall I enjoyed this film, even if in some parts it seemed a little irrelevant. If you are into UE, then this is a good film to see some great locations. If you are not familiar with UE this is a great introduction to it!

7/10

We are the Urban Explorers who say Ni!

[ElijahCSkuggs · 7/10 · 23 September 2009]

Never would I believe that when me and my pals were breaking into my county's abandoned mental institution (Danvers State), we were partaking in some type of hobby. Well, I guess I was, since the hobby of wandering through old buildings, castles, sewers, rocket silos, etc.(!) has a name; Urban Exploring. Look at me, I'm an Urban Explorer! Look at me go!

The hobby itself is pretty damn cool. There's massive historic value to be learned here. Some of the sights are cool, some are boring, but the main thrill is to basically go some place where you're not supposed to be or where someone hasn't set foot in a long time.

Sometimes it's just ducking under an old fence and poof, you're there. And other times you're opening sewer drains, dropping down dozens of feet and walking/climbing quite a ways through incredibly hazardous conditions to achieve your goal. There's a danger factor here that makes the whole idea of exploring past historic vestiges quite intriguing.

The documentary as a learning tool will definitely satisfy your thirst for the idea and background of Urban Exploring. But, and I say this with a smile, the community of people who are in fact Urban Explorers, aren't much lower on the Nerd Poll than Trekkies. Matter of fact, they're probably two in the same. The display of dorky personas here is all over the place. Most Urban Exploring isn't incredibly dangerous, actually it's not very physical at all, and that's why it's so accessible to the Realm of the Ex-Pog players. Not saying all Urban Explorers are dweebs, that's obviously not true, but phewy, lotta poindexters. Now, don't get wimpy on me, I'm the dork writing this blurb.

So ask yourself, do you like history? Do you live near or in a historic city? Does this city have lots of abandoned buildings? Does your athletic ability only let you participate in activities that would be deemed of average exertion? Do you, at least weekly, say 'We are the Knights who say Ni!'? Then boy howdy, you're an Urban Explorer in the making. So henceforth young Explorer of the dorky kind, your steadfast fortitude has prepared you well for the dusty dwellings of bygone days!