Great premise with amazing potential. This was obviously an under-12 kid's movie. More likely, under-8. The problem was that it seemed to constantly and safely pander to the least intelligent among that age group. Like it didn't want to scare them by actually telling a competent story with REAL suspense. It wasted tons of time trying to be clever without ever really delivering a solid 'plot-punch'. One it probably never needed because it was so painfully predictable at every turn. It was very bland and flavorless until it got a bit tense near the end. The acting was solid for the most part. Special green-screen effects were even better than many block-buster films in a few spots. Creature effects were standard fare, but lacked both any real charm or menacing behavior. It was also light-years removed from the many hundreds of eyewitness reports from people in several countries. The 'real' Chupacabra is actually something quite terrifying and gruesome. Not smiley, cutesy, and fuzzy. A little research would have helped, but likely would have been ignored. The few minutes of suspense here was worth the watch, yet it was just a very small island in a roughly 90 minute ocean of meandering fluff. Christian Slater looked great, but sounded like a moronic, simpleton 'Bad-guy' with banefully inept dialog. I can completely understand why no one involved with the core production of this film has ever worked for Disney. Demián Bichir saved this film from being a complete flat-lining flop. He definitely gave it some much needed breadth and depth. He is always an awesome character in most of his films. Sadly, it wasn't enough to actually make the film better. Only slightly more watchable. If I was Netflix, I would have tossed this script in the trash, completely redesigned the creature, added some plot, and sub-plot line more worthy of a 10 year old's imagination.
Yes, the main problem today in western movies is that we treat kid's minds and imaginations as if they are delicate, fragile, and need constant protection from being challenged and confronted by the realities of what bad people are truly capable of. You won't find this an issue in most Asian, or other countries. They let their kids know in detail what is the woods, or in the bad neighborhoods and back streets that could possibly hurt, or even kill them with zero censorship. Coddling most kid's minds and imaginations either makes them angry, bored or just outright makes them go find something else to pay attention to that will challenge that hideously BORING 'safe' place they are constantly subjected to. Not a fan of Disney by ANY means, but at least they know how to scare and terrify a kid in a movie, and THEN deliver a decent, satisfying and (fluffy) ending.
Yes, the main problem today in western movies is that we treat kid's minds and imaginations as if they are delicate, fragile, and need constant protection from being challenged and confronted by the realities of what bad people are truly capable of. You won't find this an issue in most Asian, or other countries. They let their kids know in detail what is the woods, or in the bad neighborhoods and back streets that could possibly hurt, or even kill them with zero censorship. Coddling most kid's minds and imaginations either makes them angry, bored or just outright makes them go find something else to pay attention to that will challenge that hideously BORING 'safe' place they are constantly subjected to. Not a fan of Disney by ANY means, but at least they know how to scare and terrify a kid in a movie, and THEN deliver a decent, satisfying and (fluffy) ending.