Review of The Pyramid (2014) by Quincy T — 29 Apr 2015

The exotic pyramid barely offers any spectacle, since it's too dark and wobbly to see anything. It's confusing for a film to use found footage gimmick then change into normal perspective halfway, but still retains the shady shaky cam. The Pyramid attempts to create horror in a claustrophobic space with so called modern mockumentary style. This means despite its effort to build tension from the setting and mythology, it all comes down to running in darkness and screaming while audiences pretend to understand the scenes.

After uncovering a strange pyramid, a group of scientists and journalists venture to see what is hidden beneath. Meanwhile, the neighboring city of Cairo is in turmoil from civil war, this creates a small timeline to record their findings. Thus, they go into the already proven dangerous pyramid with just a few safety measures. The characters are not that appealing, in fact the journalists are exact stereotype of rigid reporter wanting an award and timid cameraman who follows the on-screen girl as she predictably handles the situation with less elegance.

The scientists are more audience friendly, at least the family relationship is more presentable. Nora (Ashley Hinshaw) and her father (Denis O'Hare) are the two leading amateur explorers who barely know what they are doing. They are decent, but occasionally become television presenters as they deliver the narrative. It just feels detached from the danger that lurks, the thrill is not consistent enough amidst the Nat Geo inspired description they utter constantly.

The movie actually has a potential set up, visual has dusty flair and it's focused enough to be engaging. Unfortunately, after diving to the pyramid, the scenes are muddled and very chaotic. This is a persistent problem with found footage genre, but the movie switches back and forth into even stranger viewpoints. It could definitely offer better and brighter angles, and even the first person view should be more than flailing lights and occasional fumbling of a random person. The Descent from a decade ago has proved that it could be done.

It also utilizes cheap CG that looks inorganic, the result is a rather anticlimactic scenes towards the latter half. The Pyramid has the advantage of exotic location and its myth, although this barely makes any different as it fumbles in the dark for half the duration. If only found footage genre can invest in steady cam.