In "Monsters", a NASA probe returns to Earth with alien matter aboard, but it crash lands in northern Mexico creating a 100-mile "infected zone" along the Mexico-U.S. border. That was six years ago. During that time, an enormous concrete wall has been erected between America and its southern neighbor (social commentary much?) and the infected zone is overrun with those creatures and the target of constant military bombings.
The film explores the plight of two Americans - the photographer and his charge - as they attempt to traverse the infected zone and get back home. Naturally, nothing goes their way. Surprisingly, little of it has to do with monsters. In its bold ambitions, the film attempts to explore the effect of the alien infestation on Central American culture. Border crossing (via ferry), as you can imagine, is now at a premium. And while crossing the I.Z. on foot is possible, it is decidedly not recommended.
On the surface, this setup seems like good fodder for a sci-fi indie and writer-director Gareth Edwards does admirable work with his low-budget and CGI skills. In fact, as an exercise in filmmaking, "Monsters" is aces. What it doesn't do is live up to its title (the two main characters do a surprising amount of sleeping for a monster movie), nor does it deliver on its promise of social commentary. Further, the two leads generate little of the required chemistry and even less sympathy. As the photographer, Scoot (yes, Scoot) McNairy embraces his inner "jerk", which doesn't exactly make him a hero, and Whitney Able fails to register as his companion (though to be fair she isn't given much to do). Ostensibly, we should be watching as their relationship grows. Instead, we're waiting (in vain) for the monsters to come.
| Movie title | Monsters |
|---|---|
| Release year | 2010 |
| MPAA Rating | R |
| Our rating | |
| Summary | A great exercise in low budget filmmaking but not much of a monster movie. |
