MONSTERS (2010)

Written, Directed, Cinematography & Production Design By: Gareth Edwards 
Editor: Colin Goudie 

Cast: Scoot McNairy, Whitney Able, Annalee Jefferies 


Six years ago NASA discovered the possibility of alien life within our solar system. A probe was launched to collect samples, but crashed upon re-entry over North America. Soon after, new life forms began to appear and half of Mexico was quarantined as an INFECTED ZONE. Today, the American and Mexican military still struggle to contain "the creatures"...... Our story begins when a US journalist agrees to escort a shaken tourist through the infected zone in Mexico to the safety of the US border

This movie was supposed to be different in it’s own way, but it feels like plenty of movies you have seen before.

Only this film’s angle is more of a romantic story. Set in a near identical future. That practically plays more like an indie road trip romance almost a mumblecore movie only more expressive that also happens to have special effects. That don’t Really come out in the film except for the beginning and the end. Other than that we get more hints and sounds that threaten and excite the audience but come to nothing at the time. Making it feel like that part of the film was thrown in to make the film more interesting and marketable. Allowing it to stand apart.

There is good filmmaking here and the film is an achievement. But it’s a film that one finds themselves having a hard time making a connection with. It’s more impossible knowing the behind the scenes drama in making it and how it all came out to be. Rather than by it’s own merits. It feels meandering after a while.

The film shows the director has an original broad eye and a craft. He will obviously make future masterpieces and impressive films. This being his debut, while this is an achievement. It’s not a winner to me. Even as it is beautifully shot.

Though one will admit it is better going into the movie but knowing anything about it.

The monsters when they come out towards the end loom more like Spectacle then anything too Impressive. Most of this film was made situationally. As there was an outline more than a script. As the actors were directed by knowing what had to happen in the scene and make up their own dialogue. That is how they shot the film as well. Any shots they could get out of opportunity they used and any extras were just people who showed up at the location that day.

It’s a love story though there is no chemistry onscreen between the two leads. (even though married now in real life) Though they were a couple in real life at the time. It feels almost lien a mash up of CHILDREN OF MEN and IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT.

This movie is worth watching for it’s technical aspects. The love story could be skipped.

Another favorable aspect of the film is that it builds a world more in the backgrounds and in little subtle ways. It's kind of ironic that Director Gareth Edwards eventually went onto direct the similar big creature feature that involves a lot of military GODZILLA. Like this film was his unintentional audition. He truly deserves any success he finds as he was basically mostly a one man band on this film.

GRADE: C