As Above, So Below (2014), where to begin. Let’s start with this is another found footage entry by Dowdle brothers. John Erick once again take the reigns as director while he and his brother Drew take writing credits. This duo also produced the found footage film, The Poughkeepsie Tapes (2007). I found As Above, So Below to be intriguing because I saw a lot of potential in The Poughkeepsie Tapes, but I found it so repulsive based on the content that it was difficult to reconcile. However, I reference The Poughkeepsie Tapes a lot in other reviews, so it holds some significance in my horror pantheon.
As Above, So Below – Less rape and murder than “Tapes“
One of the refreshing things about this film is that rather than taking on the darkest of hyper-realistic material, it goes more into that of horror fantasy. The film highlights the adventures of Scarlett Marlowe (Perdita Weeks) and her burgeoning career as a turbo-archaeologist that has a bad habit of putting the lives of others between her and her goals.
After a quick demonstration of her recklessness, the film quickly shifts to the ‘One Eyed Willy’s Rich Stuff’ of this story, the Philosopher’s Stone. The Philosophers Stones is the fabled substance that can turn a rusty tin can into gold and can grant eternal life. Scarlet employs the help of her former lover, George (Ben Feldman) and Benji (Edwin Hodge), some dude that inexplicably follows her around with a camera everywhere even when it would be advisable to put it down.
Using clues that make Robert Langdon roll his eyes this group finds the secret to the location of the Philosopher’s Stone. It’s hidden in the catacombs under the streets of France. After grabbing a couple of suckers to assist them on their journey, down they go.
Not so bad, so far…
The premise is silly. The acting thus far is good enough. At this point in the film, I am still intrigued. How bad can it be? This would certainly not be my first rodeo with a bunch of younglings going down into a hole to die. That’t usually fun… right? Unfortunatley, from here it gets pretty weird, pretty fast.
After evading the police with a couple of ninja smoke-bombs, the team starts going down fast… in more ways than one.
Going to Hell… FAST
This film covers an archaeological expanse that would make Indiana Jones blush. The story begins in Iran and incorporates elements of Babylonian religion. Then the group descends into the 18th century collection of bones in the catacombs before going full Templar Knights. Without articulating the cultural connect we land Egyptian mythology. In on last mind bender, the plot finally lands in Dante’s Inferno. These Goonies find their way to the gates of hell. Somehow, the idea that the gates of hell are under the streets of Paris checks out.
Bon Scott once said, “Hell Ain’t a Bad Place to Be”, this group quickly finds out otherwise.
Found footage overload
Switching tact for a moment, this film makes a big mistake going with found footage. It is true that the found footage medium enhances some film experiences, but this film is not one them. The intricacies of the plot and the reliance on archaeological artifacts tell the story, but the viewer can barely make out what is going on with all of the camera shaking. A more traditional approach would have enhanced this. The frantic shaking of the camera in the dark obfuscates otherwise interesting action and monsters.
By the end of the film, the fact that people are still filming considering the action on the screen…. ridiculous. But hey, this would be the first found footage film to commit that sin.
Botched ending (Spoilers)
Let me fix the ending for you. Instead of the final trio jumping to their salvation and ultimately to their safety, they either splatter on the rocks below or fall into a bottomless pit. Fixed.
Pretty lame by most standards
As Above, So Below is a pretty weak entry into the found footage genre. Some of the characters have charisma, and the acting is good enough, but nothing can save the cockamamie plot. Too much, too fast for too long all in exchange for a lame ending. People that love claustrophobic horror may find that this one scratches that itch.
This one gets a similar score to The Poughkeepsie Tapes but for different reasons. I still think The Poughkeepsie Tapes is worth seeing… once. This one is not required viewing.