Movie Review: Monsters

Dec 16 2010 by Ian Bunting, Hamilton Advertiser

MONSTERS is a sci-fi drama set six years after Earth suffered from an alien invasion.

Photographer Andrew (Scoot McNairy) agrees to escort his boss’ daughter Samantha (Whitney Able) through an infected zone in Mexico to the US border but a whole host of potential dangers fill their journey.

Monsters is a pleasant treat that doesn’t play out how you’d expect it to.

Some elements are similar to those found in other movies but Monsters is very much its own beast.

Comparisons have been made with last year’s quality South African-set alien picture District 9 and you can see why; Unknown actors and director, low budget and the antithesis of the traditional Hollywood alien invaders template.

Writer/director Gareth Edwards makes his big screen bow but he has a background in visual effects.

He uses several tricks to compensate for the small budget ($15,000), including television reports on the creatures, sound design and signs of conflict littering the locations.

There’s several interesting ideas on show too; The irony of Americans trying to cross the Mexican border and the view that the American military and not the aliens are causing any carnage and disharmony.

The first half hour plays like a Mexican travelogue with threat hanging in the air (literally with the frequent helicopter presence) and one of the film’s only flaws is a slightly slow pace.

Unknowns Able and McNairy are likeable leads and you genuinely feel you are watching a blossoming relationship play out in strenuous circumstances.

Another minor gripe, though, is the quick-fire attraction, and subsequent jealousy, that develops between them and motel-set scenes felt like the most unrealistic thing in the movie.

A soldiers/creature square-off opening with night vision camera work is reminiscent of Cloverfield and the tentacled aliens are similar to the beasties from The Mist.

But don’t fret, Monsters is a unique experience and the clever ending includes some eye-opening creature visuals that would fit in quite nicely in a David Attenborough wildlife show.

Don’t go in expecting Independence Day-type big bangs (if you’re looking for that go and see Skyline). In fact there’s little human/alien interaction but the film is better for it.

Monsters is a victory for new and vibrant filmmakers and it is so great to see films like this and District 9 achieve success.

Once again we are presented with proof that you don’t need to throw hundreds of millions at a production to make it memorable, visually stunning and a forum for real world issues in unreal situations.

The pacing and rapid relationship flaws stop Monsters just short of attaining classic territory... but it’s a close run thing.

Rating - 8 out of 10.