Set in the future, Monsters tells the story of a NASA spacecraft that took some samples from another planet, but crashed in Mexico after re-entering the atmosphere. The impact on Mexico is big because after a while new lifeforms start to appear. The problem is so big that half of Mexico is labeled as infected zone. To make sure the creatures don’t spread out, America has built a big fence around the zone and tries to fight the monsters and kill them all (without much success). During some seasons there are more of them around and it is dangerous to travel, with parts of Mexico cut off from the rest of the world.
Andrew Kaulder (Scoot McNairy, who starred in In search of a Midnight Kiss ) is a photographer on assignment. He has to try to take a picture of the creatures. When he calls his boss to inform him about progress he is told to pick up his daughter (Whitney Able) from the hospital and to escort her to the coast where she will be able to safely travel home. He’s doesn’t really want to do it, but has no choice in the matter and listens to his boss.
The movie follows the two on their difficult journey to America, where they live through quite a lot together in dealing with the local people and the creatures. When you’re watching the movie there is not a moment you will think that this movie was made with a low budget. When you hear the actual budget you will be amazed by what they have managed to make as it was only $500.000. The crew was just the two actors, director Gareth Edwards who also filmed and a sound technician. The effects were done by Edwards himself. On Youtube you’re able to see how he did the effects for a BBC series, with off the shelf software. It’s all very impressive.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IK1WJ-oveE]
So the movie looks great for the budget it was made with, but is it also a great movie? Unfortunately I have to say no. I didn’t know a lot about the film and based on the title of the movie I was expecting a lot of suspense and monsters. I was disappointed, as there are a few moments where you will be on the edge of your seat, there just are not enough of them. You will not see the monsters a lot either (which probably is because of a limited budget). The movie’s main focus is the relationship between the two main characters.
They go through quite a lot together, but I did not get the feeling they were slowly falling in love or getting closer. The actors just didn’t convince me, which is a shame as this is a movie which shows a lot of potential. Gareth Edwards is definitely a director who I will keep a close eye on. If he manages to make this movie on such a limited budget I can’t wait to see what he’s able to make when he is allowed to spend a couple of millions.
Score: 5