Phoenix Forgotten (2017)

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

Sophie Bishop returns to Phoenix. It was 20 years earlier that UFOs interrupted her 6th birthday party. Her older brother Josh pursued the UFO with friends, Ashley and Mark. They go missing soon after. In present day, Josh's old footage is found and Sophie follows the investigation.The present day stuff is lacking any tension. It's circling the old footage. It would be more compelling to play all of the old footage first. At least, there is an expected payoff with the found footage and that gives them some tension. The footage could lead to some questions, and present day Sophie could follow in their footsteps to find some ultimate answer. As it stands, the found footage is fine and present day Sophie is lackluster.

I may be a little biased, being from southern Arizona myself, but upon first hearing of this 2017 flick I was skeptical. I'm not the biggest fan of the nauseating genre, but this one is certainly different.. I made an account for the first time just to leave this review.If you're into found footage, you probably know about the cheesy scares, disorientating cameraman, and bad acting. However, this one has some excellent pacing, decent acting that isn't a distraction for once, and honestly, one of the best payoffs for a FF film I've ever seen. Honestly had me on the edge of my seat. Some absolutely stunning effects are used and I can't grasp why this film doesn't have more attention in a positive way. It's certainly better than As Above, So below, The Pyramid, and god forbid The Gallows. Remember that hot trash? Yeah, don't forget Ridley Scott worked on this one. MR. Alien.(spoilers?) Of course this film isn't perfect, none are. But I'm no film student, and I like movies like the first Transformers. I know when things aren't up to par, but as far as specifics, it's gotta be BAD for me to pick up the first time. There's some questionable effects (planes flying VERY low to a house) and cheesy acting from side characters not important to the plot - but it's all very quick. Scenes featuring abduction have that classic sped up 'jump' motion you catch in a lot of new age horror, but it's not a terrible effect altogether.Just minor complaints from me here. Being from AZ and a regular of Phoenix, it was fascinating to see a scary movie centered around home, and done shockingly well compared to other FF trash. I PROMISE this one is worth a watch, everyone I've personally showed it to thinks it's great. The documentary style and INSANE amounts of effort making the 90's footage look authentic, literally just blows my mind. Lots more work went into this than usual FF and it's very obvious and well done, in my opinion, I appreciate it so much. Also, I freakin' love aliens, lmao.

The moving with that thin script would have deserve a short at best !!!...the first hour is really LOOOOooonnng ...& not much happened ...then come's for the last 30 mn the blair with copy ...but the copy is worst ..a lot worst. Really don't waste your time unless you a huge fan of anything that's use the blair witch camera technic aka shaky view.

I loved everything about 'Phoenix Forgotten'. I loved the structuring of the story, intertwining 'found-footage' with 'mockumentary' and using them to not only elongate the film, but also to show other sides of the story and add to the mystery in that way. I loved the way the story found fiction amongst a real-life event. I loved the story itself and the fascinating way it was told. I loved the performances. I loved the visuals. Put simply, I loved this movie.I found myself absolutely entranced by it. It isn't a film that sets out to scare you (it might do that, but it isn't exactly its motive for existing), instead it tries to captivate you and make you care. It pulls this off incredibly well. And when I say it doesn't set out to scare you, I simply mean that there aren't jump-scares around every corner and the horror side of things isn't as obvious as it is in a lot of modern films. The final half hour or so of the film will have a tremendous impact on a lot of people though.As far as flaws go, they're pretty hard to come by. I will be fascinated to read some negative reviews on this film and see just what exactly people didn't enjoy about it. I'm almost certain I'm going to disagree with the majority of their points. 'Phoenix Forgotten' is a brilliant, fresh and original film that is not to be missed.