Monsters [Blu-ray]

I will be the first to admit that my original review for Monsters was written in a spirit of anger and misanthropy, after having read several `lazy' 1 and 2 star reviews. However, I've been humbled by some experiences involving this movie, several friends/relations, and the words `boring', `stupid' and `annoying'. I've therefore redacted my review, though my reasons for loving the film have remained the same.

I can understand how people find this boring. Yes, it moves slowly, yes there isn't much `explosive' action (though what is much? It's all relative!), and yes I guess you could argue that not a lot happens; the characters start off in Mexico and eventually get to America, the end. I can see exactly why this doesn't appeal to a lot of people, and it isn't a case of them `not getting' the irony of the title, or being slavering zombies who only appreciate limb-hacking and extra-terrestrial evisceration, or being cursed with the attention span of a cockatoo. (Though inevitably there will be a few viewers who tick all of those boxes.) On the flipside, those who do enjoy the film are not all snobs who use the word `meta' way too much. It's purely a matter of individual taste. As upsetting as it is when you love something and only want people to see the brilliance in it that you do, people will like and dislike this movie for a diversity of reasons. Also, I know a lot of people were ticked off about the `false advertising' on the DVD cover, and yeah it sucks you wasted five quid and 90 minutes of your life it's the end of days blah blah blah alert the government whatever - but seriously, grow up, quit whining, and try to see the film for what it is, not for what some advertising company says it is.

Rather than slow, I would describe the movie as ponderous and nonchalant, a style and tone which is driven primarily by the writer/director's blasé attitude toward the War on Terror. A peculiarly jaded feeling I think we can all relate to. For me this is the most compelling part of the movie, the development of the character's relationship against a backdrop of destruction which is just part of daily life. It differs from a lot of movies in which a strong bond is forged by the immediacy of the situation, but does that ensure longevity? Sure it's fun and exciting as a viewer, but how often do we find ourselves in cataclysmic situations, stranded with Mister World 2009 and fighting zombie-vampire hybrids to survive?

The plot is straightforward with an aversion to complexity: two Americans are thrown together and must travel through the infected zone in order to get back home, and ninety minutes later they get there. (Though whether they remain there is questionable, since the scene that serves as the prologue is actually the epilogue.) But for my money, a lot does happen; it's just that most of it is either in the background such as the news reports of monsters on TV, footage of destroyed landscape and buildings, or subcutaneous, like the burgeoning relationship and emotional nuances. There is a lot there if you want to see it and not much if you don't.

So here are the seven reasons, in no particular order, why I love Monsters:

1. The guerilla filmmaking style means that the film has not been creatively lorded-over by a money-hungry company, and so what you see is simply the story the director wanted to tell. It also lends an authenticity in terms of acting, setting, and time you might not get in a larger feature film.

2. It doesn't tell the same old done-to-death story we've seen a thousand times before, which we are honestly bored with, but which we all keep paying money to see because we are secure in the knowledge we will get our money's worth of hackneyed thrills even if the ending is painfully familiar. How many filmmakers are brave enough to envision what becomes of the world AFTER the credits roll on a typical monsters movie when the initial action is over and normal life must somehow resume in the face of so much destruction? Not many. This film feels original. It feels like it's actually making steps into the world and doing something productive. It feels like it has something to say.

3. And this is where the title comes into play. Perhaps the furore over the film called Monsters with relatively few 'monsters' is a testament to how diminished our expectations have become in terms of cinema. We EXPECT things to be literal, and when they're not, we kick up a fuss. We have forgotten that the best titles are those that relate to more than one glaringly obvious aspect of the material, which transcend, reach out, touch and connect many, if not most of the themes. The point here is perception; is something a monster because it looks like one, or because of what it does?

4. The cinematography is stunning and varied and poignant. One particular scene in Mexico in which the two characters stumble upon a commemorative ceremony resembling Day of the Dead is particularly moving.

5. Scoot McNairy & Whitney Able are the through-line of this movie. A couple in real life, they are utterly believable in their portrayals as two wandering Americans struggling to make sense of the gritty realism of the turmoil around them, so far removed from their safe, suburban lives. A very tender relationship with a natural progression.

6. Jon Hopkins' score is simply beautiful, reinforcing the tone of the scenes without ever intruding upon them. It filters through the celluloid like trickling water in the calmer moments, and jangles your nerves during the tense. And I'm not just saying that because I was already a huge fan of Jon Hopkins. Promise.

7. The story. I know I've already kind of mentioned this, but it just has so much to say about issues which are extremely relevant today, immigration and war being only a couple. Hope is also a strong theme. Hope in humanity overcoming adversity, or at least coping with it. The final scene is not the build-up you may expect - it's a thousand times better, and once again challenges your received ideas about `monstrosity'.

So there are the 7 main reasons I could think of that I love this film. The DVD extras on the DVD are also great, my favourite being an in-depth 3 part documentary about how the film was made and edited which is truly fascinating and so involving you feel as though you are part of the creative process! Additionally, there is a commentary with Gareth Edwards, Scoot McNairy & Whitney Able, plus 'Factory Farmed', the short film by Gareth Edwards which secured him the support of Vertigo Films.

My final comment is that I understand this is not a film for everyone, but I think its intentions merit at least one viewing. The only thing I would ask of anyone reading this and considering watching is: don't have expectations, because this film was never trying to meet them.

I was expecting monsters and fighting and killing and dying....I got none of those because this movie is about a peacefull species marooned on this planet with a dominant species who is hell bent on killing everything it is not sure about.....what a fantastic movie and a wake up call at the end of the movie....something that touches your very heart....worth watching again and again.

I was bought this movie for Christmas and watched it expecting a 'leave your brain at the door' action movie...what I actually watched was a wonderful, beautifully shot and thought provoking piece of movie magic. I thoroughly recommend this little gem of a film!