Bob's Review - As Above, So Below (2014)

The film of choice this week for Bruce and I was As Above, So Below. It was directed by John Erick Dowdle while he and Drew Dowdle teamed up to write the screenplay. This film follows a group of explorers that go below the streets of Paris on a quest to find a stone that is said to contain the secret of eternal life. Of course, once below the city streets, things become rather eventful and the story takes a very disturbing and unique turn. There is plenty of blood, sweat, tears, death, and just total pandemonium in this movie, and that always makes me happy.

Let me just start from the beginning. When I first heard the title of this film I asked, "What the hell does that mean? What a terrible title." Well, the title works and I should probably just shut the hell up when it comes to things like that, because I always make myself look like an idiot. Anyway, moving along. While watching the movie, it becomes evident that this title does make sense and has a place in the story. Something else I noticed was that this was another found footage film. As much as I grow tired of this style, it really was the best way to present this film to us. It gave it a more realistic feel, and although I am not claustrophobic, I found myself at times short of breath due to the tight areas and the thought of being underground in the catacombs.

As for the characters, I will admit that I found myself not really liking or relating to any of them. Typically, I like to try and relate to a character's personalities and their attitude to see who I best compare myself to. In this film, I found myself not particularly caring about any of them. Don't get me wrong, the cast did an amazing job, especially Perdita Weeks who played the lead character, Scarlett. The talent of the actors was not the issue at all; again, it was just the personalities of the characters.

Now onto the story. I always try to figure out where a film is headed and what the "twists and turns" will be throughout. If you are like me, and do this very same thing, let me save you some time. Do not even try to do this. This movie took turns that I never once saw coming and I loved it. If you are a regular reader of our site, you know that I never give away major parts of the films I review, and I will keep that streak alive here, but let me just say that I really did enjoy the movie. Yeah, at times I found myself getting a little bored and irritated, but I did like it. I really did.

In closing, I will simply say that I did like As Above, So Below. I do not see myself going out of my way to see it again, but that is true for 85% of films I see. I am telling you, give this movie a shot. Go to your local Redbox and rent it this weekend. You will not be let down.

I give As Above, So Below 6.5 cleavers out of 10. It's a good movie.

PEACE OUT!

Bobby C