Blackwater

No pun intended - the movie is trying its best. And I really understand that making a movie is not easy. Well was not easy, it does get easier in certain aspects. But back in 2007 (I do make it sound like it was ages ago, yes? Well technically speaking it was) ... it was anything but easy, especially money wise. And you can tell if you watch this and how it has aged (and that is not a dig at the cinematographer).

The acting is not helping either and while the women are beautiful, I am not sure that is anything that is helping the viewing experience (no pun intended of course and you know what I mean). Poster is kind of the best thing the movie has going for it ...

Four women in their late 20s enjoy a girl-getaway in the Everglades riding ATVs, hiking, camping and canoeing. The vacation turns harrowing, however, when they stumble across three malevolent swamp rats.

"Blackwater" (2007) is just what my title blurb says, a combination of "Deliverance" (1972) and "I Spit on Your Grave" (1978) set in the wetlands of southern Florida. You have to appreciate micro-budget Indies to enjoy it. While the acting is definitely second-rate, the colorful cinematography is top-of-the-line and the music is quite good.

Anyone who wants to see the awesome beauty of the Everglades region and the wildlife thereof, this is the flick to see. In this manner it's similar to "Piranha" (1972), the one with William Smith, which works as a tour guide of Venezuela.

The four females (two blondes, a brunette and a redhead) are definitely 5-7 years beyond the traditional college age, which makes them more three-dimensional and less shallow party-oriented Spring Breakers. While they're all uniquely attractive, each of them could stand to eat a cheeseburger or two to add some curves. The only one I find personally alluring is the redhead, Kat (McCayne Blomberg), but brunette Angie (Georgia Chris) is interesting as the gung-ho member.

Meanwhile the three nasty yokels were well-chosen and look the part.

Unfortunately, "Blackwater" lacks the depth of "Deliverance." The script needed more meat on the bones. Still, if you don't mind really low-budget productions, it has its highlights.

The film runs 1 hour, 22 minutes, and was shot at Devil's Garden in southern Florida.

GRADE: C.

Not to be confused with all the other films of the same name (Including one thats just come out this year) Blackwater tells the story of 4 girls who go on an adventure camping in the everglades. Things turn sour however when they run afoul of a trio of rednecks.

The first 50% of the movie is character development which is adequate but does drag a tad. The cast are just about competent and the sights are beautiful, both of the everglades and its stunning wildlife.

When things actually begin to take place they feel rushed, there is very little actual development and the threat feels rather lacking. At no real point do these women seem in much danger so it all comes across quite trivial.

The rednecks themselves are lifeless, the action is non-existent and the whole thing comes across rather neutered.

Shoulda coulda woulda been better.

The Good:

Some really nice scenery

Everything is just about passable

The Bad:

Very tame stuff considering the subject matter

Very slow build

Not exactly what the cover suggests it is

Things I Learnt From This Movie:

If you want me to care about a character, don't make them a hunter

Rednecks need a union, they are presented so badly in movies!

"Blackwater" 2007 is one of those, humans hunting humans, stories. // The photography is really astounding in this. It starts right off with beautiful scenes of a bayou, water birds, sunrises, and fantastic shades of red and mauve. Every scene in the movie is shot like this. Whoever the director of photography was, he is so good that it seems oddly out of place for a B movie. // There are four women in the movie, and they are actually beautiful, for a change. All four of them are perfect C's with pretty faces. Most B movies go for the huge implants on ex-porn queens that were rode hard, and put up wet. // There are two fisherboys, sitting on a dock; one is fat, the other looks just like the River Phoenix when he was 12. // The plot is cookie cutter, and the story is thin. The acting and directing is really bad. The girls move like they have a board strapped to their backs. And that is where the movie loses you. Still though . . I did watch the whole thing. It wasn't terrible. // Directed by 3 guys, so, "You can't blame me!" // As usual, Nutflux doesn't carry this movie. But, they do have every gay movie produced in the last 20 years. // The Bushwacker 10/3/2021.

Blackwater wasnt perfect. Noticeably bad actors, they weren't as bad as some I've seen. Story was predictable and yet, I watched it. Kept me i terested enough to watch. Kinda enjoyed it. If you can look past the low budget you might just enjoy it too.