[yasr_overall_rating]
As host of his own hit TV series, “Man Vs,” Doug Woods is forced to fend for himself for five days in remote locations with no crew, food, or water, only the cameras he carries on his back to film his experiences. Doug is in the remote woods for a routine episode until he’s awoken by an earth-shaking crash. Things get weirder as it becomes clear that he isn’t alone. Someone or something is watching him. “Man Vs.” is a gripping “found footage” thriller about one man’s extraordinary desire to survive at all costs.
The woodsy creature-feature B-movie, “Man Vs.” isn’t too bad for what it is. I was somewhat disappointed though and it’s partly my own fault. When reviewing this DVD I neglected to read the cover which would have definitely helped guide my expectations. Instead, I just popped the disc in and let it all unfold before me while letting my curiosity and imagination set me up for a lame discovery. The experience was much like being 5 again seeing this awesome toy being advertised with whatever new cereal was on the market and then getting the cereal only to dig for the toy and getting a dud. I’m making this film sound worse than it is. But truly it is not that bad. If I had only noticed the bold red lettering on the cover: “IT CAME FROM ANOTHER WORLD, IT DID NOT COME IN PEACE,” I could have then set my expectations on a different level. I had too much fun trying to guess what the creature was and so the reveal was a letdown, although it didn’t have to be that way.
The plot is quite simple. Doug Woods (Chris Diamantopoulos) is essentially Bear Grylls. Doug has a small show where he’s dropped into a remote location alone, with only a camera and a bag packed by his crew to get him on his way to surviving the elements. It’s very MacGyver. Doug will show you how to build a fire, make shelter, and catch game. This go-around is crucial because it could mean getting picked up by a big network, and Doug’s crew is counting on him to get some great footage while toning down his lame jokes and overall goofiness.
Doug and crew head toward the wilderness of the Canadian Shield where they meet up with off-kilter guide Duncan (Alex Karzis), whose rambling has enough spooky foreboding to make most people go, “Thanks but on second thought, no thanks.” But we all know this is not how this works. So Doug gets where he needs to be and is left all alone with his backpack and camera.
The first day and night are alright. You get your shelter making and fire and the next day you learn how to catch some rabbits. All is well, with the exception of some spooky noises and the odd pile up of dead fish floating in the water, and of course the huge crater-slide in the tree line. (Why didn’t I connect the dots sooner?) Things go way to the left quickly. Doug is aware something isn’t right and he’s being watched. These were the moments I was thinking Sasquatch! Chupacabra! (one that had obviously traveled very far North). When I wasn’t trying to rack my brain for anything other than the obvious, I was enjoying the ultimate survivor really having to survive i.e. avoiding human-sized rock-stick rabbit traps and not getting skinned alive.
And then what I had been waiting for happened, a big CGI monster made its appearance in the form of an alien! Doug seemed to take it in stride, so I decided to as well. The CGI alien was disappointing, but perhaps it was because I was mad it was an alien. My personal disappointment aside, I do think the visual of the alien could have been left out and the film be better for it. I often prefer the intensity of the unknown. But in all fairness, Adam Massey’s “Man Vs.” is a fun watch and I love how it pokes fun at the ever-popular and ever-generating survival show.
Now available on DVD
