Monsters: Blu Ray Review
Monsters
Rating: M
Released by Madman
Set in the not too distant future, opening titles explain that a
spacecraft sent to bring back alien samples broke up over Mexico in
re-entry. The result of that is a series of alien life forms (which
look uncannily like squid on stalks) have taken up residence
throughout parts of central America and Mexico - and are
spreading.
Rather than nuke them, the government's decided that they will let
them be - and simply declare zones of the country in quarantine and
infected areas.
Enter into this photographer Andrew (Scoot McNairy) - he's
desperate to make his name in the media - but is tasked with
returning his boss' errant daughter Sam (Whitney Able) back home
safe.
Through a series of mishaps, the pair find the only way they can
get back to home is via the infected zone - and so their journey
into danger begins...
Monsters is not what you'd expect at all - initially you're
introduced to the squid creatures early on and so you're never
waiting for a big alien reveal, which robs the premise of some of
its tension.
Director Gareth Edwards is also a little heavy on the direction -
opening shot after shot are simply about the infected zone
signs or military fighter jets heading past in the skies. It's a
pummeling to set up the world they inhabit rather than subtlety to
get the message across
With a lack of real script (most of this is improvised) it's left
to McNairy and Able to make it believable and to have you care. The
pair are both relative newcomers both have stunning chemistry
together (and are now married in real life) - so while there are
dips in the film and dialogue which is simply about asking where
they are while navigating the grim reality of it all, it's thanks
to these two and their tender relationship that you make it through
to the end.
Extras: Cast interviews, B roll, trailer and
Q&A at Melbourne premiere
Rating: 5/10
