'Monsters' a low budget gem

Director: Gareth Edwards

Cast: Scoot McNairy, Whitney Able

Cert: 12

One wonders what a Hollywood studio would have made.

Where Edwards had a budget that matched the small change in the corners of his pockets ($15,000), used a crew of two and did most everything else himself, a studio would have thrown zillions at the screen and reverted to every hi-tech comp gizmo in its armoury … and it wouldn’t have been a fraction as good as this little gem.

Making his directing debut, Brit Edwards turns a sci-fi plot about an alien invasion of Earth into a political statement, an examination of international relations (between Mexico and the USA), a look at humans making the most of their dangerous situation, a road-trip and a romance.

NASA having decided there must be life out there goes exploring and on returning to Earth with samples the rocket crashes in Mexico spilling the contents which turn into rampaging monsters.

Mexico is cut off leaving your average cynical journo, Andrew (McNairy), to help rich, spoiled Sam (Able) through the infested countryside to safety … and on the way finding love and the meaning of life (as they did in real life since, the actors are married).

The film doesn’t always work but it has a terrific maturity and heart and it shows that squillions of coinage doesn’t always match a unique approach to moviemaking.

Star Rating: 4/5