Mountain Devil 3: The Bigfoot Invasion (2021)

As I stated yesterday,  I didn't the day inside a Mountain Devil marathon.  Actually being a bit jealous,  as I know and have didn't time in the field with some of the researchers featured in the series.  Oh well,  that's what I get for moving away from the area a few years ago.  With they being said,  here is Mountain Devil 3: The Bigfoot Invasion from 2021.

Plot: This mockumentary explores the sightings of Aliens and Alien Spacecraft in Pennsylvania in the 1970's. While at the same time, sightings of a large hairy creature many know as Bigfoot were sighted at the same time.

I really liked the source material in this one.  Being from the area,  I am familiar with many of these cases and absolutely loved the content.  However,  while the interviews and stories were good,  the execution of the reenactments were hit and miss.  The performances by the cat were uneven to say the least.  Since of them were just bad. While txt did take away of the effectiveness of the source material.  The effects and costuming were also rather uninteresting and to me tom away from the quality of the film.  I understand this is a low budget entry,  but the creatures looked really bad and unbelievable. In the end, while I did enjoy it,  it was hard to watch.  While I understand what was intended,  the validity of the true stories was easily overlooked by the attempt at over the top dramatizations. It definitely isn't for everyone. 

Mountain Devil 2 (2022)

The cold is starting to frustrate me a little,  although it is so much warmer here in Virginia Beach than it was when I was at home in Pennsylvania last week.  While I was there I didn't time thinking about my days in the cryptid and paranormal community.  When I got back yesterday I decided to continue that with a Mountain Devil marathon. Next up is 2022s Mountain Devil 2. 

Plot: In 1976 a book was published titled "The Creature" that swept over Bigfoot enthusiasts and researchers all over the state of Pennsylvania. Since then, it has been the most quoted work on the subject of Bigfoot. But, who was the author and was there any truth in the story?

To me,  movies like this are more about the information and story than the overall quality and technical aspects. This low budget investigative docudrama has an interesting story and drives into a unique piece of Pennsylvanian lore. While less about Bigfoot itself and more of an investigation into the origin and Prentiss truths in the book The Creature, this one is a mixture of interviews and dramatizations based on excerpts from the book.  Featuring a large group out local investigators,  it movie does provide some insight into the research that has taken place. Unfortunately,  this one did drag a little and did not really drive into the Bigfoot mythos. Something that will definitely turn off some enthusiasts that are looking for a straight forward documentary.  Fortunately for me,  having grown up in the area, the focus on the local lore kept me engaged throughout. While there are side solid cinematography aspects,  some of the material feels underwhelming and that does seem to impact the pace.  In the end,  this one won't be for all cryptid enthusiasts,  but if you enjoy a piece based on a legend and the potential research of that legend,  give it a shot.  

Mountain Devil (2017)

Although I have not been able to make it into the field in some time due to school or softball, there no better place to spend some time than on a real Bigfoot investigation. To my surprise when I went to Family Video, I found a new release that was filmed here in Pennsylvania. A movie that I had heard about for some time from researchers in the Bigfoot community in this area. In fact, here at the Ringmaster’s Realm, there are actually investigation journals from outings with some of the investigators shown in this film. While this movie is miscast as a horror movie, it is a solid docudrama: 2017s Mountain Devil.

Plot/ Based on the true events that occurred in the Appalachian Mountains, Mountain Devil recounts the frightening events of the night Frank Peterson and his friend spent the night in a secluded cabin stalked by something they could not explain. With only a few clues and journal entries, we try to piece together the shocking events, and attempt to shed insight into one of the greatest mysteries of our time

Let me start by saying that this docudrama sits somewhat close to my heart. Many of the Bigfoot investigators involved with this project are personal friends. With that being said, I can vouch for the validity of the investigation principles shown throughout the movie. Everything that was shown from the measurements techniques, to the tree bend discoveries, to the group investigation methods are practiced when out in the field. Plus, no one in the group claims to be an expert, in fact they make this statement on camera in the film. Based on a true story, the overall tale is interesting and the production elements utilizing a mixture of actual investigation footage, witness interviews, and the reenactment of the source material works well together especially considering the low budget nature of the project. Yes, the film is miscast as a horror movie, there are some choppy moments with the editing and overall video quality, but that is to be expected. In the end, even though I may be a touch biased with my review, I will say that this is an honest documentary and everything seen in the investigation practices shown are real. I have been in the field with many of these researchers and I will likely join them again soon. If you enjoy Bigfoot documentaries and want to see the process as it truly is, check out this film. It is definitely more believable than the higher budged shows that have almost ruined the field.