The Fourth Kind (2010)

- written October 5th, 2011

Summary: In 1972, a scale of measurement was established for alien encounters. When a UFO is sighted, it is called an encounter of the first kind. When evidence is collected, it is known as an encounter of the second kind. When contact is made with extraterrestrials, it is the third kind. The next level, abduction, is the fourth kind. Modern-day, Alaska, where-mysteriously since the 1960s-a disproportionate number of the population has been reported missing every year. Despite multiple FBI investigations of the region, the truth has never been discovered. Here in this remote region, psychologist Dr. Abigail Tyler began videotaping sessions with traumatized patients and unwittingly discovered some of the most disturbing evidence of alien abduction ever documented. The Fourth Kind exposes the terrified revelations of multiple witnesses. Their accounts of being visited by alien figures all share disturbingly identical details, the validity of which is investigated throughout the film.           Overall: I thought the film tried really hard to convince you of alien abductions and get you to buy into the weird goings –on in Alaska. I thought the film did work hard to scare you and make you convinced it’s all a very true story. I think my major issue with the film was the dual audio/video sessions they got going on. They want you to believe that they’re making a film of real events and hence showing you “real” footage next to their “filmed footage.” It’s a moving exposing itself as a “movie” just so you buy into the scary “true” stories, they’re also showing you. I think in some ways it really can work, can be scary.           But…it’s distracting. I’m really watching two completely fake filmed events and simply watching 2 different actors doing the exact same thing. Once you realize that, it’s not so scary anymore. And it doesn’t work and frankly, it gets annoying. So a newbie horror film fan or someone without much film knowledge might buy into the film. And I applaud them for this. Doesn’t work for me however.           Comparison: Paranormal Activity meets Blair Witch Project

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