SXSW Review: ‘Monsters from the Id’

David Gargani’s new documentary about science fictions films of the ’50s is both enormously entertaining and eye-opening.   Gargani does a great job of mixing some of the more interesting clips from his favorite films of his youth and excerpts from interviews he conducted with scientists, film historians, and even Homer Hickam, the rocket scientist whose story was told in the film ‘October Sky’.   ‘Monsters from the Id’ is an engrossing and enjoyable documentary that should not be missed.

When Gargani set out to make his film, his intentions were not as scientific or as studying of our society as it turned out.   Gargani’s intentions were just to make a montage-style   look at the genre films of his childhood.   Upon looking underneath the surface and viewing what effect films like ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’ and ‘Forbidden Planet’ had on the society that watched them, Gargani realized the deeper meaning.   These films crafted the imaginations of the men behind the space program.   These films that so many viewed merely as escapism helped eventually progress the nature of science and directed the course of an entire nation into what it has become today.

These are mighty large themes when you think how cheesy and lame many of these ’50s science fictions films were orginally perceived.   However, Gargani brilliantly uses the clips he has accumulated of over 30 such films and the interviews he has conducted with the physics professors, rocket scientists, and film professors who share his belief that true inspiration begins in the childlike imagination.   Being someone who loves the genre of ’50s monster and sci-fi movies, I was ecstatic to see how those films edited together, but I found myself anticipating the interview excerpts with an equal amount of enthusiasm not long after the film opened.

‘Monsters from the Id’ never overpowers the watcher with either film clips or talking heads.   Both are utilized, both are pieced together, to the best of their ability.   The segment of the film that deals with Hickam’s story and shows many clips from ‘October Sky’ could have been tightened up a bit.   It seems Gargani’s enfatuation with Hickam judged his filmmaker’s sensibility, and this segment at the 3/4 mark could have easily been left on the cutting room floor.

Despite, there is still plenty in the just over 70 minutes of ‘Monsters from the Id’ that both entertains the viewer and lends focus to Gargani’s belief.   Gargani’s editing ability and the lasting score from Brian Aumueller make for an equally enjoyable and enlightening film.    Here is hoping his film inspires those who may someday inspire others.

Overall: 4 stars out of 5