Sunday 15 May 2011

GREAT NIGHT IN: MONSTERS (R2 DVD) ****


"Six years ago a NASA probe returning to Earth with samples of alien organisms crashed over Central America. Soon after, new lifeforms began to appear there and half of Mexico was quarantined. Today the American and Mexican military struggle to contain the giant creatures. Through this perilous infected zone a cynical journalist must escort his stranded boss' daughter to U.S. border safety, in Gareth Edwards' stunning debut.

Costing a couple of quid to make, Monsters benefits from an interesting premise, helped by subtle plotting, a believable backdrop, and two leads (Scoot McNairy and Whitney Able) worth rooting for. You may question why they are still hovering around Mexico when the story begins, but you certainly won't cross-examine their feelings for each other as the film progresses to its beautiful finale.

A romance with aliens should satisfy a larger audience, even if its lack of tense action setpieces will disappoint those expecting another District 9 (2009), or heaven forbid, Independence Day (1996). Still, a stronger script with more backstory for its striking leads, who at times seem far too composed considering the hell that surrounds them, would've tranformed this cracking debut into a cult classic - can't wait to see what Edwards can do with more money."

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