Number 1:

Rumoured to have been made for around $15,000 first time Brit director Gareth Edwards’ Monsters has been creating a lot of buzz around the festival circuit, being my most anticipated film at FrightFest I sat down in my chair and hoped that it would blow my mind.

Centring on photographer Andrew (Scoot McNairy) who after getting told by his boss to get his daughter Samantha (Whitney Able) from Mexico across the border to the US goes to find her in a local hospital.  The problem is that between the two countries is the new ‘infected’ zone where the new extra terrestrials have called their home.

Made on a pocket change budget the film looks breathtaking, capturing the Mexican surroundings beautifully and adding in his own flair both with the cinematography and Edwards’ own DIY special effects.  Yes, comparison’s to District 9 are going to be made but this is definitely not an action movie, it is a road trip love story that is set in a world where aliens have landed on earth.  My only comparison, which is a positive between this and District 9 is the world building.  After the first scene there is no need for anymore exposition, we know the world and it’s fully formed from the get go.  It doesn’t clogged down in what went before but what is happening now.

The two leads are a revelation, Scoot McNairy and Whitney Able’s chemistry on screen is nothing less than electric, which you would expect as they were an actual couple off screen and are now married.  The central relationship is natural and organic and the tension between the two of them builds steadily throughout the story, which is really the main thread running through the film.  You would expect a film titled Monsters to have more actual Monsters but the world around them as well as the Monsters are just used as a back drop to tell this love story, which is a refreshing take on the this type of sci-fi movie.

The emotional journey of both as they travel through the ‘infected’ zone is shot with a beauty and horror that is not only helped by the guerrilla style but make it that more effective.  We get to see what has happened to these places the aliens have taken over first hand as if we are another passenger along for the ride.  The realistic feel to the film, just helps it pack that extra bit of punch that is needed to really engage the audience fully.

Noel, in the 35mm Heroes video review stated the fact that there really isn’t any urgency or threat when in the ‘infected’ zone hindered the movie, I would agree in some way but for me the gentle and calm feel of the film is one of the most inspired choices that Edwards made.  The fact that they are not running around everywhere allows the audience to drink in the surroundings and become even more involved in the characters.

After watching the film I was a tad speechless, I slumped down in my seat and struggled to stand up.  The film was that emotionally draining because the journey, the characters, and the world were all so fantastically brought to life.  I really want to hold myself back whilst writing this review because in my eyes the achievement of Gareth Edwards and his two leads needs to be seen to be believed.  Imaginative and emotional Monsters is in every sense of the term a master-class in independent filmmaking.

9.5/10