Phonearl
Good start, but then it gets ruined
LouHomey
From my favorite movies..
Huievest
Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.
Popcorn42
I'm going to add my two cents. There seems to be a divided response to this film depending on whether you're used to European film-making or Hollywood gore and special effects. Villmark is more akin to a suspense film than most American horror movies, so I can understand that some viewers felt disappointed (not me, I enjoy trying to figure a movie out and not always knowing what to expect).The movie starts out with a group of young people joining Gunnar, who runs a successful outdoor adventure TV program. He invites the four of them on a trip where they'll be exposed to the same hardships the show subjects its contestants to as a type of proving ground to see if they have what it takes for the job. They drive into the wilderness (filmed in a beautiful, remote part of Norway called Sogndal) and Gunnar turns out to be a control freak, obsessed with the idea of forcing the four young recruits to prove their mettle surviving in the wilderness. The director, Pål Øie, does an excellent job keeping the viewer on edge and recreating the sense of isolation and unease that comes from being alone in a dark, overgrown forest far from civilization. The soundtrack is excellent and contributes to the suspense of the film. The acting is very good - Kristoffer Joner (Lasse) does an outstanding job as the headstrong film-maker who butts heads with Gunnar and challenges his authority and Eva Röse (Elin) puts in a great performance as the gorgeous, loyal confidante to Gunnar.The movie builds to a climax but ultimately the viewer is let down by an irrational and hastily-conceived plot. The twist at the end should have made it more interesting but no explanation is ever given as to who the gate-keeper really is, why he killed the German couple or why he would try to kill Per, Gunnar, Elin and Sara. We're only treated to a fleeting glimpse of him at the outset of the film and the director makes no attempt to develop the character.I would have preferred an oh-so-predictable ending with a ghost or some kind of evil creature instead of being served this nonsense. Really, that the police would think a German tourist could survive for 30 years alone in the Norwegian woods without a big RV or a GPS tracker, amazes me!
zoominn53
"Villmark" is the first Norwegian horror-film in many years that actually works. It has all the ingredient a horror film should have, in regards of suspense and mood. Its weakness lies in the script. The story is basically to weak, and there are to many logical flaws. Here's an example: They're far in the forest, they find a dead body - and decides to wait with reporting it to the police, because it's to far to go back to the car to get a cellular phone. A few scenes later, one of the characters actually has a phone with him. There's are many more examples of these logical flaws. Its also difficult to understand the motivations of the characters.However, when watching the film in the cinema, I wasn't the only one to jump in my seat a several times, and they manage hold the suspense throughout the film.
KombiNiere
I've just watched this movie on television in accordance of a friend of mine. There are a few words to be said about this making. At first it was really interesting to watch this movie, due to its great and fabulous pictures: the norwegian landscape (really nice), the setting (deep dark woods, a fairy lake, a tent and an old wooden house). Furtheron the choice of the cast is fulfilling the dark and frightening atmosphere which the spectator is demanding to watch. The story, set into this setting is very similar to "The blair witch project", even if the norwegian poster of the comment in front doesn't think so. For me and my friend, it seemed to be like this. The most fascinating fact, on my opinion, is the ending. I don't know which alternate endings are on the DVD, but on the TV-version the ending isn't fix. It's up to the spectator, to interprete why these strange happenings occurred in this small part of norway. Very annoying was the dumb acting of the protagonists like in other films: blair witch project, return of the living dead, dawn of the dead .... But maybe, they have to act likethis. I think I will never understand, why people have to switch in strange situations and leave tents, houses and so on. This is why I voted this movie with 8 out of 10 points. I'm still fascinated.
gunnarolsson
This is a good movie. Not great, not that very special, but yet creepy and that is the hole idea of horror movies. The actors does a good job, just as nordic actors (actresses) always seems to do.It is very similar to Blair witch, but it is no copy of the film, as the Swedish movie "Det Okända"! This is without hesitation better.I hope Norway have learned from both big brothers Sweden and Denmark (when it comes to movies, that is) and follow up this quit good film with another one!I did not like the end, it should have been much better with the alternative ending in the DVD! I voted a 6, but with the alt end, it would have been an 8!!!
