As Above, So Below - 2014

[Zaharoff]

As Above, So Below - 2014

I’m normally as patient with “found footage” genre fare as I am with “dead teenager” flicks.
Still - - when those with subterranean settings beckon, I often cast aside misgivings.
Young archaeologist and historian/translator join with explorers and descend into Parisian catacombs.
Holy relics for one group, treasure for the other.
Above ground proceedings slow. Characters irritating, voicing reluctance, then feebly acquiescing.
Once into the depths, though, hold on!




For viewers who have done unguided caving, especially the wet caves, this captures the claustrophobic exhilaration and disorientation. Narrow, twisting tunnels, watery passages, surprise chambers, and ever-present mud.
The surround mix provides a shifting ambiance, but dialogue clarity often suffers.
Excellent midnight movie.

Layered meanings and symbolism throughout, though frequently convoluted.
References to Nicolas Flamel, legendary French alchemist, embellish the historical connections.

Nicolas Flamel - Wikipedia

Now - I’m new - and I might be stepping out on a limb here, so please correct me if I err.
More than the released film itself, I recommend the Sapirstein edit.
This version is slightly cut and the narrative rearranged.

[marioneta]

I love the Paris underground environment of this film. The link to alchemy was also very interesting. Overall I was entertained This is one of my favorite flicks even though it borrows a page from The Blair Witch Project, only underground. The premise of karma is also interesting.

[Patrick G.P]

Remember being skeptical of this when it was released, but it sounds quite interesting, I'll have to give it a go, thanks for the heads up guys.

[Ibrahim]

Watched this yesterday. Thoroughly enjoyable & even some haunting moments. What is the mechanism whereby an apparition looking directly at the viewer ( or the ostensible recording instrument at least ) from behind a character’s back is so effective? The suggestion of objectivity or of the ghost being more real than the actual characters? Or just personal.

[marioneta]

I was also skeptical when this movie came out
Then surfing channels one day I saw it on HBO and I liked what I saw. There is something about underground scenes or cities that attracts me. I must have womb fixation complex. I even have a DVD set of Cities of the Underworld which includes the Paris underground and catacombs. There are some creepy scenes and moments in this flick that make it worth while.