Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Review: Monsters (2010)


Written and Directed by Gareth Edwards, Monsters tells the tale of Andrew Kaulder (Scott McNairy), a struggling photographer and journalist who is having a hard time making a living in an earth that is dealing with alien inhabitants that landed six years ago. These Monsters have implanted fear in the minds of humans- not only making everyday situations much more complicated- but making dangerous journeys significantly more hazardous, for example, crossing the border of Mexico and the United States. In a world that a photo-journalist can only benefit from horrific, appalling photographs and stories, Andrew is open to high paying projects. Conveniently for Andrew and for a fair price, Samantha Wynden (Whitney Able)-daughter of an important American figure- needs guidance and transportation across the Mexican border. Inconveniently enough, the ferry (the safest way to travel in these formidable times) has become unavailable to the duo, forcing them to cross the border on foot with a team of protective authorities. Though Andrew is a bit of a playboy and Samantha is engaged, sharing the same journey and fear of these "creatures" that lurk our land forces Andrew and Samantha to not only become familiar, but perhaps fond of each other as well. Not only will this film please monster film fans or those devoted to science fiction, but a large array of viewers of all tastes due to its appeal to human emotion. For a film who's title and centerpiece is Monsters, this picture has everything to do with human relationships and the magnetic forces of love and fate. Much like early George A. Romero films such as Night of the Living Dead, the beasts are candidly bait to bring the film's characters together- and when this happens in Monsters, the chemistry is coercing. The film has a perfect enough blend of magic realism, drama, action, humor, and tension to earn its spot on the top of this year's independent film list and 3 1/2 stars in my book.

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