Welcome one and all to my review of the 2015 Found Footage Science Fiction/Horror film, Phoenix Forgotten. Before I begin I want to urge you to check out my review of the recently released Netflix horror film, Malevolent and if that doesn't help you to pick what you want to watch this Halloween check out my article that can help you make an informed decision HERE.
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I recently re watched the Ridley Scott produced science fiction/horror film Phoenix Forgotten, available on Amazon Prime Video and also DVD, which follows the story of Sophie as she travels back home to Phoenix 20 years after her brother and two friends mysteriously disappeared in the deserts outside of the city after seeing unexplained lights in the sky. It becomes evident that there is more to the story as Sophie finds footage that will help her understand what truly happened 20 years previous.
What I love about Phoenix Forgotten is that it may be a found footage film for the most part but, it is the documentary style footage that really sets it apart from the rest of this genre. There is a lot of news reel footage mixed in with Sophie returning home to the devastation that the events of her brothers disappearance has caused. The horror and science fiction are very subtly used throughout the film, which I really liked. There is sometimes the thought that there should be a huge use of CGI as the reveal happens in films like this but, instead Phoenix Forgotten relies on the use of light and sound and reactions of characters to really create the air of unease. I really enjoyed the personal stories and the interview segments with the characters linked to the unfolding story from years before, something that is sometimes done in a cringe worthy way.
Whilst I love Phoenix Forgotten I do have a few issues. I feel that some parts of the documentary segments are hastily done and glance over some parts of the story that could have been explored in more depth. I also feel that the found footage segments suffer from being used sparingly and could have been utilised in a better way. I also feel that the finale is a little underwhelming but, concludes the story in a concise manner.
Overall despite it's pacing issues Phoenix Forgotten is a great science fiction/horror film that is a fresh take on the found footage genre.
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