Monsters: Dark Continent **½ (2014, Sam Keeley, Johnny Harris, Joe Dempsie, Kyle Soller) – Movie Review

The US Army sends in more men to deal with a new insurgency in the Middle East, where there is a proliferation of monsters.

That setup and the ensuing plot are fair enough but this is a disappointing sci-fi thriller sequel to the 2010 low-budget hit Monsters, set 10 years after. Alas it plays like a battle movie and not the monster movie that we’re all hoping for. It’s a good thing that it’s an entirely different movie from the first one, but maybe it’s just too different to satisfy.

However, co-writer/director Tom Green’s tough-toned movie is very edgy, imaginative and robust, and does work well as a war film. Photography, visual effects, settings, performances and score are all very striking and first rate.

Sam Keeley stars as Michael Parkes, along with Johnny Harris as Noah Frater, and Joe Dempsie as Frankie Maguire and Kyle Soller as Karl Inkelaar.

Scott McNairy, star of the Monsters movie, is an executive producer.

© Derek Winnert 2015 Movie Review

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