Some movies never cease to amaze me. Despite being downright awful, they manage to get widespread distribution. Meanwhile, genuinely good and original films struggle to see the light of day. That was the case with Trick ‘r Treat (2007). It is a phenomenal Halloween-themed movie that sat on the shelf. It stayed there for two years before finally getting released. The same thing happened more recently with The Black Waters of Echo’s Pond. Filmed in 2009, it didn’t make it to Blu-ray until four years later!
Going into this movie, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, though the trailers had caught my interest. Once I heard it was finally being released, I wasted no time ordering a copy on Amazon. I watched it the night it officially dropped—and I have to say, it was an absolute blast.
The cast delivers solid performances, with one notable exception: Arcadiy Golubovich, the lead male, who feels somewhat miscast. That aside, the characters are engaging and multi-dimensional, a rarity in films like this. You find yourself connecting with them, drawn in by their personalities and the secrets they each carry. Their secrets emerge when they discover an ancient board game hidden in their cabin. The game possesses eerie, supernatural powers.
The story moves at a brisk pace, and the special effects are surprisingly well done. The board game itself is particularly impressive, both in concept and execution. If it were a real product (minus the supernatural dangers of course), I’d buy it in a heartbeat.
It was great to see Elise and Electra Avellan—better known as the Crazy Babysitter Twins—step out of Robert Rodriguez’s shadow. They shone in their own right. Danielle Harris also delivers a stronger performance here than in Hatchet II and III. And of course, Robert Patrick adds to the film’s appeal with a fun yet unsettling role.
This isn’t the kind of movie you go into expecting high art. However, if you’re looking for an entertaining and creepy ride, The Black Waters of Echo’s Pond delivers.
To read the rest of my Monstrous Movie Reviews, click HERE! To add this classic to your movie library, click on the Blu-ray movie cover below.
