I don't watch a lot of horror movies and those ones that I do, have to be exceptional in some way. And this was one of those.
This movie is not one of your run of the mill teenage slasher fests it is something more. It was thought provoking and original. This movie kept me on the edge of my seat from the very first minute. Trying to work out who the murderer was then trying to work out why and then the amazing twist that left me totally dumbfounded.
I read about this movie in a 4 page article in the magazine devoted to all things horror - Fangoria (# 215, the August 2002 issue). The article was about 2 of Neil Johnson's movies this one and "The Demons in My Head". I quite enjoyed John's review of Demons which I have also seen. To read John's review of Demons click on the hyperlink at the bottom of this page.
What I want to know is, how could this movie a movie made with these incredible production values values that make this movie look like it was made for several million dollars have only cost $2,000 to make? which is less than 1/10 the cost of the Blair Witch project! The Fangoria article does give some idea but I still can't believe that anyone could have done it. It would appear that only someone with almost 2 decades in the business would have the contacts and the know-how to do it! The Fangoria article also describes how Neil Johnson on "To Become One" also wrote, directed and then took over the duties of Director of Photography and Production Manager! I believe that this multi-talented director also did all the post-production work as well. With all the difficulties of the production as described in Fangoria he has produced an imaginative and thought provoking production of unparalleled quality.
I thought that John's review of this movie was brilliant this review truly reflected my impressions of this movie.
And although Chrisie's review was rather negative (did she really say that Peter Jackson came from Australia? I'm surprised that she was unaware of Peter Jackson's very proud New Zealand origins and it sort of puts the rest of the information she used in doubt), Chrisie did actually give a fairly good précis of what the movie was about when she said that "Melinda is an uncannily unlucky teen." But the rest of her review, for me, is way off the mark.
I think that Neil Johnson's words from Fangoria say it all
"As a director, I think it is important to move the audience with emotion. 'To Become One' leaves the viewer feeling eerie, and hopefully a little haunted. Where we have become dead to so many darker emotions, this film succeeds as being totally creepy, and for that I am proud."
My feelings exactly.
