“I Hate Found Footage” is One of the Most Original Films I’ve Seen!
Two puppets, Ollie (played by Eddie Blake) and Filbert (played by Michael Rock), decide to make a found-footage movie together. Well, the idea is Ollie’s, but he peer-pressures Filbert into joining him. They wander off into the wilderness to film themselves “finding monsters,” hoping to become the next Michael Rock (famous for his films The Ruck March and Tahoe Joe 3). However, the happy-go-lucky, “Frog and Toad” style tone and banter are quickly snuffed out when the two bear witness to a real-life murder. Ollie and Filbert come across two women tied up in their tent, named Jasmine (played by Hannah Welty) and Marley (played by Amanda Morgan); free them; and do their best to put as much distance between the four of them and the killers. But despite their best efforts, the killers always manage to find them.
I’ve seen some rather unique found-footage films in my five years as a film critic. Some were far more original than others, but I have never seen a found-footage film that stars two puppets as our titular characters. And these two do not disappoint; their magnetic personalities and crude humor keep you in a lighthearted and jovial mood as you watch them act like two complete morons trying to become the next big thing in found footage. Eddie Blake and Michael Rock prove that they can easily carry a film with their budding humor and distinct vocal performances. In my opinion, comedic acting is the hardest; you either have it or don’t. Eddie himself has a natural talent for comedic timing; every one of Ollie’s lines brings a whimsical edge to an initially non-serious parody of a found-footage film. Meanwhile, Michael Rock’s grouchy take on Filbert is far different from his usual roles in found-footage that show his range as an actor.
Much like the first Tahoe Joe, the aptly named I Hate Found Footage does a wonderful job of poking fun at the found-footage genre with its meta commentary, even down to not bringing a gun with them to protect themselves in the woods. In the opening act, Ollie expresses how excited he is at making a found-footage film that’s different than every other found-footage film that’s come before it. Filbert, on the other hand, pokes fun at how formulaic most of them are. However, as the two begin filming, the more their film fulfills the pitfalls they hoped to avoid. From the slow pacing to the “keep recording no matter what” trope, the film never shies away from throwing some gut-busting and absolutely brutal zingers our way. At the same time, you might think this emphasis on humor detracts from the actual horror, but that’s the point. The film never treats itself too seriously, and you shouldn’t either.
I won’t lie when I say that the second act felt a bit too slow for my liking. The banter between Ollie and Filbert starts becoming slightly stale when they have to sneak and hide in the woods with Marley and Jasmine. But this slog is quickly remedied by the chemistry between the two puppets and the women. Ollie and Filbert almost become Beavis and Butthead levels of charmingly annoying, perfectly contrasting Marley’s and Jasmine’s distressed states. You might think this will do nothing more than endlessly grate on your nerves, but it actually provides a well-balanced reprieve from the stressful situation they are in. Ironically, Ollie does this as superbly as Mike Rock would’ve done so himself, as showcased in The Ruck March (specifically the worm-eating scene). So, hats off to you, Ollie!
There are films that take themselves too seriously, and there are ones that know what they are and just have fun with their premise. Even though Michael Rock is known for his gritty and emotionally real storytelling, I Hate Found Footage is living proof that he has the chops to go far in the horror-comedy scene, too. Buoyed by strong performances from both Rock and Blake, along with a unique premise that pays homage to Avenue Q, I Hate Found Footage is just what the horror-comedy genre needs: a cozy, naturally funny cast trying to make the best out of a gruesome and dark setting.
