Review of Monsters (2010) by Martin I — 03 Sep 2011

A surprising, affecting and outstanding movie.

No doubt there will be people coming into this film expecting big alien warfare, or full-on special effects brining something close to Independence Day or some such similar film. If so, they're idiots. They don't deserve to witness a film of such great subtlety, character study, quietening suspense and overall freshness.

First of all, the budget is low. This is indie sci-fi, and Gareth Edwards uses what little money he has to create a world in which we truly believe Aliens walk the US-Mexico border; without throwing it in out faces. This in itself helps only to heighten the suspense and thrills when our two leads encounter the giant E.T'.s, or hearing their bellows through the trees. With such subtlety in the deliverance of the titled Monsters, it's the character study between McNairy and Able that drives this film and will have you gripped.

The chemistry is electric, and very early in the film we feel that these two isolated souls are being drawn together emotionally as they are forced together physically on their journey through the INFECTED ZONE. The dialogue between them, along with the wonderfully understated establishing shots from Edwards, really have to believing that these two are falling for one another; and that they've found something in each other that each are missing.

There's so much to say about such a great film. AT times it will be haunting, at others heart-warming, funny and intriguing. There hasn't been a more original film in quite a long time. I loved it, and I recommend it as a must-see.