Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Sorry, this movie sucks

Don't listen to the negative reviews

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

PHOENIX FORGOTTEN is a pretty interesting addition to the overworked found footage genre of film. It ably mixes the science fiction and horror genres and has some nice nostalgia value for those of us who were X-Files fans back in the 1990s. The story is one of mysterious disappearance and strange lights in the sky; the usual alien abduction route, then, but one done with appropriate eeriness. Much of the tale plays out in 1997 and I liked the way that the filmmakers shot on digital, copied their work to VHS, and then re-recorded to digital to give it an appropriately dated look. The performances are adequate and the narrative, although drawn out a little, comes together nicely for a BLAIR WITCH-style climax.

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.

Ever since The Blair Witch Project made its debut in 1999, a host of other, found footage films have followed. Ten years later, Paranormal Activity reinvigorated the found footage juggernaut, giving us a micro- budget, horror flick that managed to frighten you in the daytime and make almost $200 million dollars. It's now present day and I've grown so tired of this genre. Years ago the material was fresher. Now the found footage stuff has gone by way of a cinematic, rinse, repeat cycle. Annoying, unknown actors spew improvised dialogue while thinking they are cooler than they actually are. The protagonist is relentlessly holding a shaky cam and filming even though danger is constantly around the corner. Finally, there's always a young kid character who sees and hears things that no one else does. Yeah these movies make a modest profit but that doesn't make them admirable affairs. Found footage films are now in a word, "dumbfounded". Anyway, Phoenix Forgotten is my latest review. Yes it is a found footage endeavor but it's much better than stuff like Nightlight, Unfriended, and the disastrous, last two Paranormal Activity sequels. The acting in "Forgotten" is actually decent, the troupers are a tad more likable, and the film's calculated backstory provides a little more tension. Now could I possibly bring myself to recommend Phoenix Forgotten which oddly, is produced by legend incarnate, Ridley Scott? Not quite. Still, "Forgotten" makes found footage fodder more tolerable to watch than in years past. Director Justin Barber (not to be confused with pop star Justin Bieber) shoots most of "Forgotten" in the style of a guideline documentary. He then has the last half hour veer into complete, retrievable tape territory. Basically, he lets the audience know that his flick is The Blair Witch Project meets aggregate alien abduction. Yeah there are a few fretful moments but as a whole, Phoenix Forgotten fails to drum up the nasty fear and breakneck restlessness that "Blair Witch" projected in 99'. Added to that, Barber's non- visionary ending is abrupt and "Forgotten's" running time barely registers at a squeaky, hour and twenty minutes. It's all harmless but mildly disappointing in the nicest way possible. The story of Phoenix Forgotten which I guess is partly true, involves the disappearance of three high school kids who set out to find the source of a UFO phenomenon called the "Phoenix Lights". This all happened in March of 1997. "Forgotten's" main plot point has the sister of one of the vanishing kids shooting a documentary twenty years later. She's bent on finding out what happened to her brother and she's convinced that he's still alive. Phoenix Forgotten documents said plot point with avid creativity and mounting anxiety. Then nothing comes to fruition. "Forgotten's" key intrigue for sixty involving minutes goes on the back burner. The final twenty is unceremonious found footage in which Phoenix Forgotten literally goes full Blair Witch. Bottom line: Justin Barber in his feature, directorial debut does a so-so job but it's clear that his efforts have rabid continuity problems. "Forgotten" gets a strong yet mixed review from me. Rating: 2 and a half stars.