Great visuals, story delivers no surprises

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

This film is definitely for those who want to see all the Big Foot/Yeti/Sasquatch films.Maybe it is also for a Lance Henriksen completest, if there is one. With over 180 appearances, you would have to watch a lot of cable to achieve that status.Certainly, seeing the Yellow Power Ranger, Cerina Vincent, was a treat. Or, maybe you wanted to see Little Opie's real father, Rance Howard. Let's not forget to mention former Miss Korea, Karen Kim, who was one of the robbers. 뜨거운 흡연!Sasquatch is played by Tiny Ron, whose 7 ft height has to really limit his roles. I wouldn't imagine he would ever star with Kristin Chenoweth.It tended to really drag in the second half, and there could have been a lot less talking, and a lot more Sasquatch action.

DIRECTOR: Steven Monroe. WRITER: Michael Worth RUNTIME: 90 minutes. LOCATIONS: Williams, Flagstaff and Coconino Nat. Forest, Arizona. YEAR OF RELEASE: 2006. THE PLOT: After an unfortunate auto accident, a woman (Cerina Vincent) is taken captive by a gang of bank robbers who are forced to flee into the Arizona timber by foot. They are followed closely by a posse made up of policemen and old Vietnam vets. The two groups ultimately team-up (sort of) when they encounter a Bigfoot creature who is picking 'em off one by one. Although I doubt the creature exists, I'm fascinated by the Bigfoot legend and enjoy films on the subject. "Sasquatch Mountain" is one of the better ones. It was originally titled "Devil on the Mountain" and, in fact, that's the title that appears in the DVD version of the movie (but not the DVD cover). To be expected, some people smugly laugh at the picture, calling it unintentionally funny and cheesy, but nothing could be further from the truth. This is actually a character study using the Bigfoot legend as a stage. The story and characters are taken seriously and there's no camp to be found. The reason some automatically laugh at the movie is because the idea of Sasquatch has become a big joke, which is understandable. I should point out that if you're expecting a mindless slasher flick with Bigfoot in the evil Jason role you'll be disappointed. The film "Abominable" (2006) is a film along these lines; and it's a good film for what it is. There's nothing wrong with this approach, it's just that "Sasquatch Mountain" shoots for something deeper. The screenplay was written, believe it or not, by Michael Worth who stars in the picture as one of the bank robbers, Vin. The guy comes off as a 35-year-old adolescent who is more likable than scary, even though he has a slight dangerous edge. NOTEWORTHY ITEMS: Although the film is a low-budget straight-to-video flick it's a well-made film, unlike "Sasquatch Hunters" (2005) and "Sasquatch" (2002), which both have some amateurish qualities.The score is great, sometimes even moving, giving the film a palpable reverent quality.Although the set-up is a bit contrived (the way the bank robbers get a hostage and flee on foot), the story starts to pull you in at the half-hour mark when the posse pursues the gang in the woods. There are numerous well-written character-defining episodes that successfully capture the viewer's attention.For instance, the lead bank robber, Travis (Craig Wasson), laments how his father never paid him any attention growing up. I know what you're thinking -- aw, poor baby -- but the movie successfully shows the correlation between adult wellness and healthy parental relationships, in particularly with one's father-figure. Often children from dysfunctional families spend their entire lives trying to make up for the damage done by clueless parents.I also like the way Travis (Wasson) and others are shown not totally poisoned by evil, despite being bank robbers, e.g. Travis does a selfless deed without hesitation later in the film. It's a good scene. Not to mention, Vin (Michael Worth) comes off as more misguided than malevolent; though Harlan (Lance Henriksen) doesn't give in to his charm one bit.To be expected in a character study, the screenplay has some great dialogue and lines. For instance, Travis states: "No matter how hard you try or how high you get there's always some devil on the mountain waiting to knock you back down" or the Asian girl to Cerina: "Everyone has scars, but not everyone has the option of hiding behind a pretty smile."The film features no less than three beautiful women -- a Brunette (Cerina Vincent), a redhead (Lance's daughter in the story, played by Melanie Monroe) and the Asian bank Robber (Karen Kim) who comes off unattractive only because she's so bitter. Both Cerina and Melanie are magnificent. Melanie is the definition of spirituality.There's a good subplot about Lance Henriksen being a laughingstock for the past dozen years. His wife had recorded a vague video of the creature on the day she was killed by a hit-and-run. The video put the town on the map as a tourist attraction but made him an object of ridicule. Will he ever be redeemed?Although the Sasquatch kills in the story, he is shown in a sympathetic light (unlike "Abominable" and "Sasquatch Hunters").The DVD features a worthwhile 20-minute "Making Of" Documentary. FINAL ANALYSIS: While "Sasquatch Mountain" is a low-budget TV movie with the requisite flaws it's worthwhile for all the above reasons. It should be given credit for not being another mindless monster flick; the Bigfoot legend is simply a frame for something deeper, which is relayed in a veritably venerable manner. Not everyone can look beyond the Sasquatch trappings; I understand this. I could and found it quite entertaining, and even moving.GRADE: B

Not a terrific movie but being a Sasquatch/Bigfoot fanatic, I wonder why every movie about this subject needs to make this creature so vicious????? There are very few documented cases of a Sasquatch being vicious. I think a more original idea would be to have these stupid folks in the woods being hunted by something that they THINK is a Sasquatch only to have it be something else entirely. Perhaps make the Sasquatch a hero for a change. Let the creature slyly give the fools in the forest help without them knowing it until the end. The whole vicious Sasquatch thing is getting on my nerves. There has GOT to be a different angle on this subject.

I wasn't going to review this (saw it over the weekend) but am reading so much emotional response to it I thought I'd at least get my few cents in.This is a Sasquatch movie. It's not Lord Of The Rings. The biggest rips seem to be on story line. Sorry, it's no worse a story line than, say, Predator (military goes into jungle, gets set up and runs from Alien hunting them) or any other film of its kind so lets get that out of the way. They are not doing Shakspeare here, but then again.... It's a Sasquatch movie.So, I for one had zero problems with the characters. In fact, I thought each one had their own personality and for the most part an arc (SPOILERS):Bad guy leader redeems himself through a surrogate father.Wana-Be hero gets an opportunity to be one before he dies. Insecure bad boy does selfless act for a female he mistreats. Old war hero sheriff is treated like he should "stay home" but ends up being one of the most durable.Bigfoot fanatic haunted by the ghost about what his wife saw when she died finds peace.Female on the run from a bad relationship faces up to another bad relationship during her plight and can move on with her life.Etc, etc. Look, my point is, when people want to rip on "paper mache" characters, they really better be. What is funny is that there is probably ten times the character development in this than in any of these Sci Fi type of films I see. In fact, it is more about the people than the monster which is very unusual in these films. Watch Sabretooth or Chupucabra, etc. and tell me they spent more time on the characters. Granted, it's not The Big Chill or a John Casavettes film but.... It's a Sasquatch movie.The acting is obviously above average too. In fact, most of these actors I have seen working before so it is not a cast of nobodies. Henriksen, Wasson, Vincent, Worth and Tim Thomerson are all professionals and no slouches. The rest of them I have seen in other films but not so sure of their names. All were believable and funny (it wasn't a brooding group of dramatic camera muggers). No Oscars coming here but.... It's a Sasquatch movie.The directing was WAY above par than most of these other Sci Fi films. Lets pick any of them on this budget level: Komodo, Abominable, Frankenfish, Slayer, Sasquatch Hunters, Boa, etc., etc. Very few have a style. The scene usually has a master and a bunch of close ups over and over again. Very TV. The look and color of this film gave it a moody feel and it worked for me. The hand-held stuff was not over done (like on so many TV shows these days) and it had a good pace considering it was a very non-action oriented kind of film. Monroe has done a fine job here with what they are doing. And what is it..... That's right...A sasquatch movie.Look, I just felt it needed to be said as I hate when I read reviews by people that seem more interested in reading their own words than giving an honest opinion of the film. It's a creature movie that takes some risks. They don't all work, but then I suppose the movie was not a multi million dollar film where they had lots of time or money. I feel the characters are more interesting than not in this film. The acting is professional and not amateur. The story is what it is and if you are expecting something else don't watch it. I can see where gore hounds would not like it as there is very little blood. The film is more about the characters than the creature so be ready for that as well. But I would pick it over most of the movies on Sci Fi or direct to video. Someone below was criticizing the clothes, but of course they also admit they are a costumer. So, "normal" people like me would never notice anything like that in a hundred years, so maybe best not to use that for a point of contention. I could be a boxer and point out the way the British guy threw a punch was totally wrong. But I doubt that means much, you know...So, I am giving it an 8 on the scale of what it is: an independent creature feature. Its funny when it's supposed to be, has some good acting, good music and does it's job. And the creature, which I like, is kept in the shadows. And the ending is more an emotional one that wraps up everyone than the typical bomb thrown at the feet of the monster and as it blows up the male and female kiss and the credits roll....Remember folks... It's a Sasquatch movie.