Written and Directed by Gareth Edwards
Starring Scoot McNairy, Whitney Able
The opening is impressive: a platoon of US soldiers patrolling at night and all a sudden, there’s an alien attack. This sets up the standard scenario of alien invasion/infestation but comes from the aftermath angle, much like District 9. The only differences are that the aliens have settled in North and Central America, they are less civilized and more hostile. The story then follows Samantha and Andrew (played by real-life couple Scoot McNairy and Whitney Able) as they attempt to make it through the infested zone over half of America.
The title is VERY misleading, as this film is not about the creatures, who serve as more of a backdrop rather the main feature. What’s more important, and perhaps what makes the film so accessible, is the chemistry between the two leads and how their interaction with other scared human beings and each other hold the film together. Monsters does not keep up the standard of its opening throughout, though what seems to be its biggest flaw is actually its saving grace. It focuses on substance over style (being a low-budget flick it seems to be necessary) and its naturalistic dialogue brings the viewer closer to the experience. It seems that with films like this (i.e. Cloverfield, District 9) it is essential to make it as real and possible: Monsters succeeds.
This is visual effects man Gareth Edwards’ first feature, and if he starts as he means to go on, the future is bright; not only did he write and direct Monsters, he did the special effects himself. What I love about Edwards most is that he is a great British talent.
When watching Monsters, have the mindset that it’s about the characters not the alien spectacle and you won’t be disappointed. And for those of you who are more sensitive, the ending will be particularly touching.
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