Review by Spencer Gordon
Photo provided by Monsters

Monsters
Directed by Gareth Edwards
Starring Scoot McNairy and Whitney Able
Rated R for language
After viewing Gareth Edwards sci-fi film Monsters I couldn’t help but think about an age-old notion that applies more to the sci-fi genre than anything else: sci-fi films are a lot better when the focus is on the story instead of the effects. For example, Moonand District 9were each made for a lot less than Transformers, but the quality of the first two films is unquestionably higher than the latter. Monsters is a filmmaking achievement not only because the filming equipment cost only about $15,000, the estimated budget for the film was under half a million dollars.Despite his limitations financially, Gareth Edwards created a film that is an excellent addition to the sci-fi genre.
The film begins with NASA finding evidence of life on another planet. The ship sent to return with the new alien species unfortunately crashes in the middle of Mexico. The samples then begin to spread, and monsters form and inhabit about 400 square miles of northern Mexico. The U.S. and Mexican government both step in to create large walls to quarantine the monsters that inhabit the “infected zone.” When a freelance journalist is ordered to accompany his boss’s daughter back to America from Southern Mexico, the robbery of all their identification and money forces them to travel through the infected zone in order to get back home. The film then follows these two unlikely travelers as they try to survive the jungles of deep uninhabited Mexico.
Don’t let the budget of the film scare you when it comes to the believability of the actual monsters themselves. The director has a special effects background and he made the aliens actually look pretty convincing, and for such a small budget, they get a lot of screen time. But like all great sci-fi films, it’s the story line and other ingredients that make the film great.
Edwards truly embraced his budget when he made this film by using the beauty and intensity created by the Mexican jungle setting–all filmed on location, without permission–by exploring the deep forests and wildlife that inhabits them. The storyline follows two tourists, so the filmmaking lets the audience explore the scenery like tourists. I felt like I was traveling with these two scared individuals, trying to establish where I was, looking around to make sure there weren’t any aliens around. Edwards did a great job writing the script as well as he created situations where I was on the edge of my seat, not knowing what’s going to happen. I couldn’t predict any of the plot’s twists and turns, making the movie all that more exciting.
All of the film takes place outside so there is little to no additional lighting effects, the cinematography was pretty much basic, the acting was what I would expect from a low-budget film, and the special effects were good but not great. The beauty of the film is in the story; it was a solid sci-fi effort with some exciting action scenes and intense on-the-edge-of-your-seat thrills.

Grade: A- for an awesome story and embracing the low budget of the film instead of letting it become its downfall.

Like what you read? See what other films Spencer has reviewed.

Gallery • 2 Photos