Found footage films have the ability to be awesome. Unfortunately, they also have the strong possibility of being total crap. Fortunately for fans Brad Parker has crafted a somewhat dark and twisted adventure with his film Chernobyl Diaries, a story that will teach everyone that when the government says to stay out, its best to follow instructions.
Featuring a cast of unknowns and a premise that follows your standard found footage formula, Parker works hard to strike up tension amongst both the characters and their voyage into the otherwise unknown. The camera work is a bit tedious, and there are many instances where any actual fight for survival would have dispatched the handheld for a slightly quicker get away strategy, but Chernobyl Diaries is a film, so you have to give the technicality of it all a bit of wiggle room.
I fortunately saw the film in theaters, and I must say that it loses quite a bit of its luster in its transition to the 'relatively speaking' small screen. Parker successfully uses the theatrical experience to better his film, and unless you have your own personal theater, you will notice a drop off.
Still, with Halloween just around the corner, the film is a worthy companion piece - especially if you can convince your friends to join in on the fun and make up a drinking game to coincide with the shaking camera. The Blu-Ray features a never before seen deleted scene, a viral video, and an informercial, all of which can be enjoyed with a mere rental if you are truly gun-ho about witnessing this mediocre adventure that generated most of its interest thanks the involvement of co-writer and producer Oren Peli - most known for his micro-budget blockbuster Paranormal Activity. Without it, Chernobyl Diaries would have never made it to the big screen.
