'Monsters' Movie Review

In the midst of this chaos, an American photographer named Kaulder (Scoot McNairy) is trying to take a coveted picture of one of the creatures when he's contacted by his boss asking him to accompany the boss's daughter, Sam (Whitney Able), to the coast to catch a boat back home to the US. Kaulder reluctantly agrees, and after a series of misfortunes, they find themselves treading through the Infected Zone in a desperate effort to reach the border, ever wary of the threat of "monsters".

That said, it's an amazing-looking film, like an otherworldly travelogue in which the lush jungle scenery is broken up by an occasional 50-foot tentacle. The CGI effects are alternately dazzling and, even more impressive, so realistic that they blend into the fabric of the film. You might find yourself squinting to figure out what's real and what's not. Although it's not a "POV film" like Cloverfield or The Blair Witch Project, it uses similar camera movements (panning, shaking) to mask any special effects deficiencies and conveys a similar sense of intimacy that makes you feel like you're in the thick of it all.

Because of its immersive nature, Monsters' sluggish pace and dearth of action feel all the more like missed opportunities. It's certainly understandable that on a $15,000 budget you can't recreate Independence Day, but if you're creating a self-described "monster movie," people expect a certain level of terror and/or thrills that's simply lacking here. And with two characters occupying almost all of the screen time, their interactions need to be more interesting than the rather ordinary get-to-know-one-another banter we get between Kaulder and Sam.

Still, I can understand why Monsters created such a stir after premiering at the 2010 South by Southwest Film Festival. Not only is it a visual and technical marvel, but it also evocatively portrays the ravages of war and the plight of refugees and illegal "aliens" who make less spectacular but no less dangerous journeys ever day. Just don't go in expecting an adrenaline-packed fright-fest, and you should be able to appreciate what the film accomplishes.

• Acting: C+ (Solid, realistic emotion.)
• Direction: B (Captures natural beauty and human tragedy.)
• Script: C- (Too realistic, with a plodding pace and bland conversations.)
• Gore/Effects: A- (Amazing digital effects, given the budget.)
• Overall: B- (An admirable achievement that lacks significant narrative punch.)

Monsters is directed by Gareth Edwards and is rated R by the MPAA for language. Release date: October 29, 2010 (on demand September 24, 2010).