Sorry, this movie sucks

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Blistering performances.

"Wendigo" (2001) is a story about a couple from New York City who take a weekend trip to the Catskills in the middle of winter. A local hunter takes a disliking to the husband (Jake Weber) while the couple's son becomes increasingly concerned about their environment and a Native American legend -- the Wendigo, an angry spirit that can manifest as man, beast, tree or wind."Wendigo" is not a conventional creature feature so if you're looking for a typical monster flick look elsewhere. The movie has a slow build-up filled with mundane drama, which some have criticized. Yet this is reminiscent of films like "The Birds," where the main characters and a sense of realism are well established before things get going."Wendigo" is a mood piece more than anything else. The mysteriousness of the lonely Catskill woods is evoked along with a sense of wonder and fear of the unknown. It's a vibe more akin to "The Mothman Prophecies" than "Ogre." Like "The Mothman Prophecies" "Wendigo" is somehow a pleasure just to watch (as long as you're not psyched-up for a monster-slasher flick). There's a quiet style and expertise to the filmmaking that smacks of professionalism.Patricia Clarkson is effective as the wife/mother and little Erik Per Sullivan is excellent as the son, Miles.Interestingly, none of the special effects were done with CGI, but rather cinematic techniques, costumes, make-up and creative editing. It works for me.The film leaves the viewer somewhat scratching his/her head with its ambiguity. What conjured up the Wendigo? What's its purpose? How exactly does it "devour" people with its unquenchable hunger? Etc. Obviously if you like everything spelled out for you and don't like banging your head this is not the film for you.The film was shot in the Catskills, NY, and runs 91 minutes.GRADE: B+ or A- POSSIBLE EXPLANATION (***SPOILER*** Don't read further if you haven't seen the film) Children are more sensitive to the spiritual realm because they haven't yet built up years of intellectual blockades along with social conditioning. It's clear that Miles senses malevolent creatures or spirits around him, which is why he and his mother check the closet and underneath the bed before he goes to sleep.The Wendigo is a spirit and can only manifest in the physical realm through an agent who releases the spirit through BELIEF. The Wendigo souvenir plays a role in the Wendigo's manifestation because it was created by someone who BELIEVED in the Wendigo; it's in essence an article of worship and, in a sense, an idol. Hence, the Wendigo is attracted to the figure, which can inspire BELIEF in certain individuals, like Miles.The ghostly Native American in the souvenir shop is obviously the Wendigo in human form. He's attracted to Miles because he senses belief and therefore guides the boy to the Wendigo figure and explains the "legend." He says, "No one believes in spirits anymore," but after sharing the story of the Wendigo he asks the boy if he believes, to which Miles responds, "I guess so." This wasn't much, but it was all the Wendigo needed. The boy gets his mother to purchase the statue and thus the Wendigo is released into the physical realm to devour human prey.The Wendigo is an evil spirit and therefore a liar. In Indian form he claims that such spirits are not "bad" just "angry." In other words, he makes excuses for his malevolent actions. Our prisons are full of people who do the same thing.Once released, the Wendigo immediately inspires Otis to shoot the husband and, later, kill the cop. The Wendigo then goes after the very person he used, Otis, which shows that evil spirits will readily use you if you're willing and then lose you. Why didn't the Wendigo provoke someone else? Because evil spirits can only utilize those who are ALREADY given over to the dark side of their natures. The film shows that Otis was already an arrogant SOB and potential psycho. He doesn't go "over the edge" until AFTER the Wendigo is released.If you're wondering why the Wendigo required belief to manifest in the physical realm, just think about it: It's the same way with God. The bible says that "without faith it is impossible to please God." Faith is the key that activates God on our behalf, answers prayer, heals and moves mountains. Why would we think it's any different with spirit beings who aren't benign? The difference is that when they are released through belief they cause havoc and destruction rather than blessing.

Now this is what I'm talking about. Finally, a low-budget horror outing that uses its limitations to its advantage. WENDIGO, while occasionally flawed, is a triumph of the imagination. Granted, it leans heavy on EVIL DEAD style camera moves for its moodiness, but it's still a damn sight better than 99% of direct to video dross.The story is pretty simple: a family takes a vacation at a remote cabin and are menaced by one particularly unhinged hunter. But director Larry Fessenden really knows how to build suspense and add layers of unsettling creepiness through the use of the mythical Wendigo. Is it real? Is it all in the boy's imagination? Is it an externalization of the child's emotional state? Some have quibbled that the film is unsatisfying because it's left to you to decide. Don't be put off by such petty nonsense. A film that makes you think is not one to avoid. It's one to rejoice in.

I liked this one. It wasn't perfect by any means...far from it. It was however original and creepy.Most of the newer horror movies suck big time and the people making them suck even more. Larry Fessenden both wrote and directed this and I think he is awesome because he did a great job.The writing was unique and although I saw a likeness of many other films in the story, I have to say I've never seen a creature quite like that before. I often wondered if Wendigo was searching for the bad guy or was the little boy Miles somehow using the statue and sending the creature after the bad guy. Maybe thats obvious but I don't get it, either way its fun not knowing in this case.Fessenden is one hell of a director. The scenery and cinematography was amazing and when nothing was going on he was giving you something to see. Many times it's a waste of time and pisses me off when directors get all artsy and take away from the story (watch Oliver Stone movies) but Larry's shots add so much to it.The acting was great, all of the actors played their part well, and I have always loved little Erik Sullivan because MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE is one of my favorite shows.My only problem with this movie was it was a bit slow. It didn't really start getting good until the last 30 minutes of it. There seems to be a great back story here with "Otis" and his childhood in that house and its one prequel I'd like to see. I still recommend this one to any horror fan.I have to end by saying I wish Todd McFarlane would make an action figure of the creature. He doesn't have to add it to M.Maniacs just pop it in any where. If he can do the tooth fairy and characters from the god-awful Texas Chainsaw remake then why not this.

for all the subtle charms this student film may contain, was anyone else bored to death waiting WENDINGO to show his paper macho face??the anti-climax pretty much ruined any sort of momentum we had speed actioned to develop.don't get me wrong, i'm all into exploring America's dark underbelly, but this is a turd-a-flambé that gets a nod to watchable only for the fact that p.clarkson looks hot taking it.sadly, from a guy from wings.the best 2 minutes the film has to offer.if you felt like ripping off DELIVERANCE, you could do better.