Monsters

Released: 2010
Science Fiction
Director: Gareth Edwards
Starring: Scoot McNairy, and Whitney Able (yes, it's not Scott, but Scoot)
Running Time: 94 minutes
Rated: R

The breakdown:  After aliens have been living on part of Earth for 6 years, humans have to adapt and try to survive in areas called "infected zones."

At the beginning of the film we find out how aliens got to planet Earth through an accident 6 years ago.  Now there's an infected zone in much of Mexico and part of the United States.  Both governments are doing all they can to control the creatures and kill them when they become exposed, but it's not enough to save lives.
A photo journalist gets stuck trying to transport his bosses daughter out of the infected zone, but they miss almost all opportunities to leave safely.  The only option left is to be guided on foot, through the dangerous infected zone and try to make it home to the states.


So, I hadn't heard of this movie before and the premise sounded interesting.  Even though it was a small time film with no one actor you've ever heard of, the special effects were decent and the story well thought out.  I thoroughly enjoyed this film.

It does have a slow pace, which works well for me to build up the characters and the anticipation, but for some, it might seem too slow for a sci-fi film.  I say no, it's good for character development.  I would've liked the creatures to look a little less like a well known sea creature, but perhaps, that's the alien life form mixing with Earth animals, so I suppose, there's a way to explain that.

At the end of the film, I was surprised, but convinced it was a good ending.  My only word of advice is to be very observant in this film.  Pay close attention to the beginning scene and the last one as they have a direct connection to one another, and something I missed on the first viewing.

Enjoy!
3 out of 5 for a solid, very good movie.