Review of Monsters: Dark Continent (2014) by Kevin D — 23 Apr 2016

Perhaps, it is not an excellent sequel, but it is an excellent stand-alone film.

This film brings us back to a world invaded by slow moving organisms which are devastatingly powerful and massive to behold. In the previous film 'Monsters' (Dir. Gareth Edwards, 2010) we were briefly introduced to these giant and alien creatures, far bigger than any known mammal that roams the earth. By no means were they the center of that film, and we only witnessed them through the narration of an excellent storyteller. 'Monsters: Dark Continent' continues in the same world 10 years later, in a planet that is obviously suffering from the creatures and their proliferation throughout areas the planet.

Based in the Middle East, we join 4 privates as they start their first tour of an unknown middle eastern country (one could assume Afghanistan or Iraq). While deployed troops are facing 2 very different kinds of threats. The alien creatures that are destroying towns and villages, and the insurgents who attack U.S troops who have caused so much collateral damage while destroying these creatures. The are lead by Sgt. Noah Frater (Johnny Harris), throughout various missions culminating in a mission to discover what happened to 4 troops deployed in the 'Infected Zone'. There are some seriously dramatic scenes in this film, and I was surprised the level of acting from some of the actors who were unknown to me before I saw this film. One scene in particular with Kyle Soller, in which he is attempting to save the life of one of the soldiers in his troop, surprised me at how believable he was, as he struggled to keep his friend alive. Noah Frater is incredibly powerful in his role, and it was very interesting to watch his character change so much over the course of the film.

Some problems people have had with this film, include the narration of the main character. I found his storytelling somewhat lackluster and certainly not comparable to the first film, but he did well on screen in several scenes. The notable lack of any real contact with the aliens seemed to upset a few viewers, and complaints that they were just background scenery in the film to keep you interested in what was happening on screen. Personally I think that's the point of both films! I did note that there was the same lack of alien presence in the first film as well, and you certainly see a lot more of these creatures (and many different kinds), than the first film. Plot-wise the movie isn't too deep, soldiers in the middle east deal with violence and the terrible situation there. Yet I would argue that what you are witnessing is more of a slowly impending disaster. There is an evolution of the creatures over the course of this film, and you begin to understand our ineffectiveness against dealing with them. We are too caught up in our own wars and ideological battles to realize that they are evolving right before us, and surpassing our ability to control the situation.

Who says the end of the world has to be a quick disaster flick? This is excellent Science Fiction drama, but certainly not Sci-Fi action.

3/5.