Review: found footage film ‘UrbEx’ soaks you in paranoia
Bill Howard’s latest offering offers up plenty of tension.
I’ve always been fascinated with dilapidated buildings. The creaky, spider-infested shells scattered along desolate stretches of highway harbor an unknown wealth of treasures. While I pretended to be an urban explorer a few years ago, I’ll leave such daring work to those who know how to do it. Filmmaker Bill Howard guides the viewer on an expedition with his new film, UrbEx, an abbreviated term for “urban exploration.” With only two cameras, Bill (as a popular YouTuber named Blight) enters an abandoned chemical factory which was the site of the tragic disappearance of a group of workers a decade ago. He wanders expansive rooms, investigating for a clear answer about what might have happened. Pops and bangs fill the cool, rancid air, as he moves from one space to another. While the meager 45-minute film takes place during the day, there are plenty of shadows that play tricks on the mind.
UrbEx might be light on the actual scares (there are a few good ones, don’t worry!), but Howard’s film excels in building tension and inciting paranoia. As noises lurch from corners of the building, you scan every single nook and cranny for signs of life — or perhaps ghosts that might want some attention. The film is equally weak on plot, yet that’s par for the course with found footage. It’s not often about a concrete series of events but rather setting a camera down and letting whatever happens happen. Even great ones of the genre, such as The Blair Witch Project, are considerably bland in actual story, but the richness lies in creating a sense of doom through emotional performances and improvised camera work.
UrbEx, now streaming on Found, shows great promise for a filmmaker who clearly knows the mechanics of the genre. Howard’s work offers up a solid showcase for both him as an actor and as a director. While his newest offering might work better as a 20-minute short, there’s still plenty to admire and applaud about his efforts.
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