Film Review: YellowBrickRoad (2010)

SYNOPSIS:

1940: the entire population of Friar, New Hampshire walked up a winding mountain trail, leaving everything behind. 2008: the first official expedition into the wilderness attempts to solve the mystery of the lost citizens of Friar.

REVIEW:

An expedition team is gathered to head out in hopes of uncovering the mystery of Friar, NH. As we are told….the town just up and walked into the wilderness on a mountain trail never to return. An army investigation recovered 300 bodies of the 572 that set out for no apparent reason. Their belongings, their dogs and their money were all left behind. Of the recovered, some froze while others were slaughtered. In 2008, the coordinates were revealed.

The expedition lead has been given important details in regards to the case after many years of trying to acquire them. The present town itself which have had to live with this tale are standoffish at best and rude otherwise. Though one brave soul comes forward who will get them started in the right direction if they include her on the search.

The team is assembled, each offering their own specialty to the mission. They begin on a trail that is marked with the words “yellowbrickroad”. The hike will take them miles within the woods and countryside looking for answers to a mystery that has remained unsolved for decades. Led by Tedd Barnes (Michael Laurino) they are assuming a future book publishing containing all their findings. As they push forward with equipment in hand, coordinates, food, and supplies, they experience a toll taken on their own psyche with a harrowing effect that begins to chip away at their madness. Though things begin to get stranger as they close in on the destination and begin to hear old 40’s tunes being played almost nonstop. Even with their training and objectivity, there seems to be a unseen force that slowly creeps into them. Sounds arrive from nowhere, and individuals begin to loose control to dire consequences.

YellowBrick road provides a level of thrills that is hard to describe. After watching and feeling the sense of tension mount, I can only describe it as a sense of impending dread that unveils the more they separate themselves from humanity and the town which where they left.

Directors /writers Jesse Holland and Andy Mitton have created an abstract masterpiece. Probably not felt in the same sense since “Session 9”, “YellowBrickroad” provides a level of horror that delivers in psychological impacts.

I’ve seen my fair share of “groups in the woods” movies, so I know the drill. Yellowbrickroad is a shocking exploration in madness that pulls surprises around every corner. It’s these surprises that take the viewer into new directions and into a surreal expedition that is none like you’ve seen. I know full well that the drive to the ending will keep folks along for the ride. The ending though provides as many questions as answers. In fact viewers are suggested to watch the full credits for some flashback photos that will in a more or less sense offer a few more answers. In any case, there is no denying that “Yellowbrickraoad” is an experience that will have groups comparing notes and thoughts about what they just watched. It’s plain and simply damn creepy and will sit with you long after the film rolls by.