MONSTERS (2010)

Country: U.K.

Genre(s): Adventure / Horror / Sci-Fi

Director: Gareth Edwards

Cast: Scoot McNairy / Whitney Albe

Plot

Six years after gigantic alien beasts have arrived on Earth, an American photographer must transport his boss’s daughter safely out of the “Infected Zone” of Mexico back to the States.

What I Liked

In some ways, “Monsters” evokes some of the best qualities of Steven Spielberg’s movies, only with a much smaller budget.  Much like in Spielberg’s “Jaws” and “Jurassic Park,” the most frightening moments come from the tension of not actually seeing much of the beast.  We see the aftermath of the creatures, evidence of the carnage they create, and here and there might even catch a glimpse of the creatures themselves, but it’s the not knowing where they are at all times and consequently not knowing when they will strike that provides that addictive fear response that keeps a viewer glued in his seat.  Yes, “Jurassic Park” showed a lot of the T-Rex and the raptors, but one could argue that the most entertaining parts came when we knew those beasts we close but couldn’t yet see them.  It’s the same with “Monsters.”

Thus, without the monsters always being on screen, the most satisfying element of “Monsters” becomes not so much the title creatures themselves, but the journey the heroes take.  It is a classic trek of the outsider, travelling through foreign territory on a desperate attempt to return to the safety of home, with the twist that there just happens to be giant aliens running about.  Director Edwards does a great job of making the audience feel as though they are taking the trip alongside the protagonists, meeting likable and suspicious characters; enjoying the beauty of the vast, colorful landscapes;  experiencing triumph and disappointment; and wondering what gruesome fate might lay ahead.  Ultimately, “Monsters” is less of a monster movie than it is a terrific adventure with a little bit of romance and social commentary thrown in.

One of the most interesting aspects of the movie is its premise.  Yeah, I know, aliens on Earth is nothing new at all.  But the background information we are given at the movie’s start informs us that these particular aliens are not invaders at all.  They came here because NASA discovered the possibility of alien life in our solar system and sent a probe to investigate.  These aliens, it is assumed, came back with that probe.  Thus the filmmakers seem to be saying that human beings, by our very nature of never leaving well enough alone, tend to bring our worst problems upon ourselves.

What I Didn’t Like

*spoiler alert!*

If there was ever an anti-climactic ending, this is it.  We finally get the big reveal of the monsters and yes, for several minutes we’re treated to some riveting suspense.  Unfortunately that suspense ends with a yawn.  I don’t care if there’s some special message to be found in the conclusion that I’m missing out on.  In the end, this was supposed to be a thriller and it does hit every necessary mark until its thoroughly disappointing conclusion.

And, you’re telling me that a man and a woman thrown together by circumstance, though initially distrusting one another, ultimately go on a journey that brings them closer together and…what do you know?  They fall in love.  I can’t believe it.  Impossible.  I’ve never seen any love story along those lines before.

Most Memorable Scene

I have a feeling that when I think of this movie in the future I wont think so much about the monsters or the most suspenseful moments.  These were all effective and well done.  It’s just that the scene that most caught my eye was when the protagonists are travelling up a jungle river on a small boat at sunset.  The sights and colors here are enchanting.  For other alien/monster movies I find myself enjoying the ride, but I rarely want to be anywhere in the picture.  For a brief moment in this movie, I wanted to be right there on that river enjoying one of the most gorgeous sunsets I’ve seen in a movie.

My Rating: 4 out of 5