"Monsters" is a film I might not recommend if it weren't for the fact that the film is amazingly good considering its budget was a paltry $500,000! How did they make it so cheap? They used very small film crews and literally went across the Mexican countryside filming it on the fly. Many of the special effects were apparently added later using computers--and you sure can't tell that so many corners were cut except for one thing--like so many 'found footage films' (and this technically isn't one), the movie relies on a jerky hand-held camera. It's not terribly jerky but it is a bit distracting.
When the story begins, you learn that a probe accidentally brought back lethal life from off world. As a result 'things' have grown huge and out of control and have taken over the northern half of Mexico. The Americans have responded, apparently, by attacking these creatures and have tried to erect a barrier to keep them out of the country. Two Americans, a photo journalist and his boss' daughter meet up--and the boss insists the guy get her back to the States as soon as possible...but it won't be easy. Eventually, it means going through the contaminated zone--where these huge octopus- like creatures have run amok.
The story has it's slow parts--many in fact. But despite this, the story is compelling and the monsters look awfully good for such a paltry budget. Overall, a unique and worthwhile film that is very watchable provided you cut it a bit of slack due to the conditions and costs involved.
When the story begins, you learn that a probe accidentally brought back lethal life from off world. As a result 'things' have grown huge and out of control and have taken over the northern half of Mexico. The Americans have responded, apparently, by attacking these creatures and have tried to erect a barrier to keep them out of the country. Two Americans, a photo journalist and his boss' daughter meet up--and the boss insists the guy get her back to the States as soon as possible...but it won't be easy. Eventually, it means going through the contaminated zone--where these huge octopus- like creatures have run amok.
The story has it's slow parts--many in fact. But despite this, the story is compelling and the monsters look awfully good for such a paltry budget. Overall, a unique and worthwhile film that is very watchable provided you cut it a bit of slack due to the conditions and costs involved.