The legendary creature Bigfoot is alive and feeling murderous in director James Chick’s Feet Of Death, which he co-wrote with Ashley Chick. Chris (Eric Berger) is a popular YouTuber whose show focuses on cryptozoological beings and supernatural happenings. He’s investigating the numerous reports of Bigfoot existing in the woods surrounding Mount St. Helens. Then, in a surprise move straight out of Hitchcock’s playbook, Chick kills Chris off.
No, dear reader, this energetic influencer is not the main character. That honor goes to United States Forest Service ranger Jason (Andrew Jacob Brown), who is the unlucky man who is called to the scene of the crime. Sheriff Ken (Jack Vanover) examines the body and concludes that it must have been a rabid bear or some such. Jason is frustrated by this as there has been a rash of hard-to-describe slayings, including that of his wife. But as Ken and Jason look further into Chris’s death, it would seem that Bigfoot is real and out for blood. Is that the case, or is some loon covering his bloodthirsty tracks via an elaborate hoax?
At an hour and 46 minutes long, Feet Of Death does run a little long. A few moments feel repetitive, especially once Jason teams up with hunter/tracker Henry (Benjman Watts). A lot of back and forth goes on just a little too long, which hurts the pacing. Plus, for the first half, this is very much a drama. That in and of itself is not a bad thing, as Jason’s grief spiral and Ken’s methodical investigation create dynamic characters one wants to spend time with. But the first time through, it is unexpected and makes the beginning feel awkward, as the horror doesn’t start up until 45 or 50 minutes into the film.
“…as Ken and Jason look further into Chris’s death, it would seem that Bigfoot is real and out for blood.”
So what, if anything, keeps the audience enthralled during the first half? The cast and dialogue, dear reader, the cast and dialogue. Jason’s likable and sympathetic. Ken clearly wants to do what’s right, both in terms of justice and keeping his small town safe. Brown excels as the sadsack who clearly wishes he were dead. The way he pities himself creates instant empathy, while his resolve to get to the bottom of everything is never questioned. Vanover is level-headed and stern, but never so much so that he is antagonistic or becomes the villain. Watts is stunning, full of piss and vinegar and verve.
The design of Bigfoot is also quite good. While the faces of the sasquatches appear to be from Spirit Halloweens stores, the bodies, arms, and feet especially (see the title) of the creature look great. The fingers move believably, and the feet really are massive, adding to their deadly ways. For an independent production, the design of Bigfoot is distinctive and impressice.
Feet Of Death is a little long in parts, and the promised fear factor takes a while to begin. Luckily, the characters are engagingly written and superbly acted, so the drama of the first half is still gripping. Once the terror starts, the dreadful atmosphere never lets up, and neither does the tension. Bigfoot moves realistically and looks swell, masked face aside.
"…the dreadful atmosphere never lets up..."
