Half-Caste

Probably the worst movie I have ever seen. It is so cheesily filmed, the focus is not even on this supposed "real half-caste", it is more on the crew coming from Hollywood to make the movie. No cinematic significance whatsoever, and if I could take back the almost 1 1/2 hours that I spent watching this film, I would feel much better.

At first, it starts out giving you the impression it will be filmed somewhat generically, like an actual Hollywood production. However, then they go into the narration of the story, and it's filmed so f***ing terribly. It's supposed to be a take on "Blair Witch Project" really, since they pretty much use what you would think is 'real camera footage', it's not, don't be fooled.

Worst movie I have ever seen . . . on the positive side, it has like one semi-scary scene in it, and the visuals of the half-caste weren't too bad looking at all. DON'T RENT

An annoying and talentless American documentary maker learns of a legendary

South African monster, the Half-Caste. Tradition says that it is a half-human, half-leopard creature with the closest parallel being that of the werewolf of European tradition. Rather than focus on the creature, the film follows the meanderings of the film crew. There is little action or suspense until late in the film. This problem is exacerbated by numerous irritating characters generating a ceaseless amount of even more irritating talk. The basic premise is wasted since it is sidelined by the inexplicable focus on the documentary crew.

Perhaps the director was influenced by the approach of The Blair Witch Project (1999) or The Last Broadcast (1998). Regardless, the film fails on most levels. Avoid at all costs.

I want to just thrash and trash this movie. I really do. However, it has a few saving graces. Bear with me, since this movie was just not meant to ever be compared to the likes of "An American Werewolf in London", or "An American Werewolf in Paris", or even "Teen Wolf". This movie was made by a bunch of amateurs out to have fun.

One, it's more fun than any reality show I've ever seen. Not saying much! But, it was actually funny in parts.

It's lack of funding, acting ability, and direction wasn't enough to toss this movie in one swoop. Though, it's hanging over the waste basket by the gossamer strand of a daddy-longleg spider.

Here's what keeps the movie from the blast furnace, for me:

1) It didn't try to take itself seriously at all. It wasn't attempting to be considered a major contender. 2) I liked it better than any reality show or "The Blair Witch Project" combined. I know, a weak point. 3) It had some awesome African wildlife in it to enjoy. Which I did. Also, some of the countryside. 4) In some parts I was actually laughing with the film instead of at it. All through Blair Witch, I was laughing AT it, since it was trying to be serious and gritty. WHich Half-Caste was not.

I gave it 5/10 stars for photography and amateur fun. Were it not for the real wildlife and scenery and light-hearted humor... there was nothing too great here and most will NOT like this film. Definitely anything having to do with the half-caste creature itself was too spectacular.

Finally there is a thriller that's not in the woods and is somewhere creative like Africa. If you have a limited budget, you still can surround your story with a location that's exciting. I saw this movie at a screening in New York. Although the story did revolve around actors with cameras, I was really impressed with Africa, the people in the village and all the different animals. Yes I agree, it did have a scary lion attack too. They had an interesting African witch, which seemed too real to be an actor and African safari guides too. Most of them didn't speak English, which was better then a fake accent. Then they brought in the half human leopard which attacked all the people at night. The story has the Africans commenting on this creature and each had a story to tell. It worked for me, because everything in the location was real and an adventure. It was a thriller, but needed a little more horror....but it surely was a lot more creative then kids just running in the woods and crying into a flash light.

This is the craziest Safari trip I've ever seen and I'm not talking Discovery Channel either. I saw this film in Cape Town and I was totally impressed with the camera work and the strange movement of this actor or creature or whatever it is. And even though there was probably a limitation in their budget, it was very stylish and unique for an African horror and a breath of fresh air from all those Hollywood special effects movies. Very cool direction when it came to the intimate tales of the Half-Caste from the real African natives and the psychological twists of the characters, but even more then that, just rent it for the wildest lion attack you'll ever see on film. I highly recommend this crazy adventure.