{"id":496,"date":"2010-12-05T23:12:36","date_gmt":"2010-12-05T23:12:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmgaze.com\/blog\/?p=496"},"modified":"2010-12-05T23:12:36","modified_gmt":"2010-12-05T23:12:36","slug":"monsters-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmgaze.com\/blog\/action\/monsters-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Monsters – 4*"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>For a film with such an emotive title that conjures up all kinds of stereotypical sci-fi imagery of Earth being taken over by extraterrestrial life forms, Monsters<\/em><\/a> by documentary film-maker Gareth Edwards<\/a> is quite the opposite. It\u2019s actually a surprisingly tender relationship study between two humans that blossoms amongst nature of the Earth and alien kind, here on this fair planet. It also helps that little-known leads Scoot McNairy<\/a> and Whitney Able<\/a> (All The Boys Love Mandy Lane<\/em><\/a>) are a real-life couple, too, making their union on the screen seem all the more stronger and believable, complete with the inevitable highs and lows.<\/p>\n

The sci-fi element that you would come to expect from the film gradually develops into a peripheral factor that intermittently thwarts the couple’s path to true love, like \u2018a sci-fi obstacle course\u2019 that strengthens their resolve. But fear not; this is not a \u2018rom-com in an alien disguise\u2019 either. It\u2019s just a very personable journey with two intriguing characters that has alien dangers to it, but what the real danger is, is apparent in the end.<\/p>\n

Edwards\u2019 style of ad-libbing certainly pays off, and which also highlights his documentary roots. As his first feature film was always going to be a gamble at the box office, it\u2019s interesting to speculate whether the strong relationship factor really was Edwards\u2019 original intention, or whether this film is a taster for an intended saga, with Monsters<\/em> establishing the characters, and a more revealing sequel about the alien life on Earth to follow? Certainly, those expecting a pitch battle between humans and aliens will be disappointed. The closest our couple get is a Jurassic Park<\/em><\/a>-style encounter with some Triffid\/Martian-like creatures that results in man being more brutal than the former.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the beautiful ambiguity of the title: Who are the true Monsters \u2013\u00a0us or them? There are lots of parallels flagged between ‘aliens’ and US immigration issues on the Mexico\/US border \u2013 much like the \u2018illegal alien invasion’ parallels in District 9<\/em><\/a>. Although this is a well-trodden film topic, Monsters<\/em> does well not to dwell on the matter because the relationship is key, and how our leads learn to respect and live alongside another race.<\/p>\n

The alien segments are undoubtedly homage to James Cameron<\/a>, from pulsating, luminous wildlife in the trees, as in Avatar<\/em><\/a>, to illuminated aliens straight out of The Abyss<\/em><\/a>. This appears to be Edwards\u2019 self-indulgent aspect of his film, allowing an insight into the creator\u2019s mind of what might have been produced with a bigger budget to hand \u2013 although bigger is not necessarily better. Edwards\u2019 credit here is just what he\u2019s achieved in atmosphere and tension with very little finances.<\/p>\n

The chosen pseudo-documentary style seems to be becoming the norm for this genre, as in District 9<\/em>, as though any other cinematographic style would not be credible anymore. But the pace is a graceful, almost serene, especially in the jungle river scene, which is reminiscent of Werner Herzog<\/a>\u2019s Aguirre: The Wrath of God<\/em><\/a>, allowing us to get a feel for the territory that the couple invades and disturb.<\/p>\n

Monsters<\/em> has d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu elements for certain, but it also has a unique style that feels slightly alien in itself. It\u2019s often very relaxing to watch, like an extraterrestrial wildlife expedition from remote jungle land. The couple\u2019s chemistry is genuine, as are the events like the parades in the film that justify Monsters<\/em> being described as \u2018the most realistic monster movie ever made\u2019. For fans of the genre, it\u2019s definitely one to catch and respect for its low-budget film-making values. In fact its success may be to Edwards\u2019 detriment, should he have planned another, as money may give birth to a Hollywood monster instead.<\/p>\n

4\/5 stars<\/strong><\/p>\n

By L G-K<\/p>\n

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For a film with such an emotive title that conjures up all kinds of stereotypical sci-fi imagery of Earth being taken over by extraterrestrial life forms, Monsters by documentary film-maker Gareth Edwards is quite the opposite. It\u2019s actually a surprisingly tender relationship study between two humans that blossoms amongst nature of the Earth and alien … <\/p>\n

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