Comments on: FILM REVIEW: Monsters (2010)

By: John D.

John D. — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 17:10:58 +0000

Amazon currently offers this as a 48-hour rental for $7.

By: Andrew Liptak

Andrew Liptak — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:48:57 +0000

I really want to see this film. Hasn't reached my area, so I'll likely have to wait for the DVD.

By: Sensawunda

Sensawunda — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 20:54:45 +0000

I really wanted to like Monsters. I liked that it wasn't so flash-bang and that it had a relevant message, but I just did not believe the relationship. To me, it seemed like it was a relationship of opportunity versus one based on any perceivable emotion.

By: jeff vandermeer

jeff vandermeer — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 20:48:59 +0000

Sensa/Adam: That, to me, is almost a deliberately corrosive misreading of the characters and the film. It is also a complete misreading of where their relationship is by film's end. My b.s. detectors on that kind of situation are set at High Sensitivity at all times, and they did not go off. - JeffV

By: Sensawunda

Sensawunda — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 18:14:34 +0000

I found the film lacking in many areas. I love movies that go for a more subtle approach, but this was subtle bordering on apathy. Also, the two main characters aren't sympathetic or likable, so I didn't care if they lived or died, which means that I found zero tension in the movie. And their relationship was ridiculous. The female lead goes from barely tolerating the photographer to "in love" with him in a matter of days.

By: Andy W

Andy W — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 18:07:55 +0000

Given this review I think this film has moved from my *meh* list to something I actually want to see now. I was also lucky enough to click on the commets thing before reading the review so knew to avoid the last paragraph and whatever mysteries it contains, I really think you should alter the document and place a spoiler warning... its simple good etiquete...

By: MikeP

MikeP — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 17:06:02 +0000

Great review. And yes, a spoiler alert would have been appreciated. Fortunately, I'm in my mid-50's and will have forgotten I read this by the time it's released on dvd.

By: The Ragi

The Ragi — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 15:56:19 +0000

"...writer-director Gareth Edwards is, with his first feature, not only a master cinematic craftsman..."

Thats one bold statement. I hope his second movie doesn't suck.

Other than that, good review, got me really interested in this film. I wonder how long will it take to show up in DVD around here.

By: Derek Johnson

Derek Johnson — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 15:39:03 +0000

Thanks, Jeff. I warred with how I could discuss the end, and probably should have put a spoiler warning somewhere.

I heard about this particular movie from Lawrence Person and learned it was playing in Austin so caught the last show before it moved off to other cities. I'm very glad I did.

By: jeff vandermeer

jeff vandermeer — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 15:25:18 +0000

Because of the last paragraph, you really ought to put a spoiler warning above or edit that last paragraph.

I thought this was a great movie, especially because the characters are not always likeable and are inconsistent in a consistent way. The reporter in particular is both a jerk and a good person. And I didn't need an explanation of the alien biology--thought, like you, it was deployed beautifully.

I know Lucius Shepard likes this film, and he's pretty darn choosy.

JeffV

By: Jeff K

Jeff K — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 14:01:22 +0000

Sounds like it could be a very interesting movie. It also reminded me of David Gerrold's War Against The Chttor series.