MONSTER SUMMER – Review

Yes, even though we’re a few weeks into Fall the box office is still ruled by kid-friendly flicks about CGI-animated robots (top two on the charts last weekend). And this new release hopes to follow, though it’s actually a “kid-flick” about a group of teens starring a pack of young thespians (and a couple of older vets too). Plus they’re embarking on an adventure just perfect for spooky October (and no they don’t have a big cowardly pooch). Now the Little Rascals (or Our gang) trekked through many haunted abodes, but that theme didn’t really invade features until the 1980s with THE GOONIES and those underdogs in THE MONSTER SQUAD (a cult fave). In the last couple of years, the Ghostbusters have included several youngsters, but there are no “proto-packs” around for the minors trying to survive a MONSTER SUMMER.

After a bone-chilling prologue, the title card sends us to a pleasant Summer day in 1997 on a bucolic island just off Martha’s Vineyard. Noah (Mason Thames) spends much of his school vacay time in the treehouse just in the back of the boarding house run by his widowed mother (Nora Zehetner). He submits his story to the local newspaper editor (Kevin James) who rejects his criminal conspiracy articles because they scare away the tourists. But he can take his mind off his dashed reporting dreams on the baseball diamond with his teammates and pals, Sammy (Abby James Witherspoon), Ben (Noah Cottrell), and home run hitter Eugene (Julian Lerner). After their latest victory, they decided to sneak into the barn of the local cranky recluse (who may have offed his family), Gene Carruthers (Mel Gibson). But that night things take a creepy turn when Eugene takes a moonlight swim with Noah’s crush Elle. After spotting someone in a hooded robe on the dock, he’s pulled down into the depths where a bright white light surrounds him. That next morning Eugene is acting like a zombie. Then Noah meets his mom’s new border, a gray-haired eccentric elder named Miss Halverson (Lorraine Bracco), who bikes around the village dressed in a black robe and slouch hat. Hmmmm. Luckily he makes a connection with Gene after several more strange events. Could Noah and his pals, and all the island kids, be the target of a witch-like monster? What a story that’ll make, if he can survive…

So despite the presence of an Oscar-winning actor, the main focus, with the most screen time, is the energetic Thames (so good in THE BLACK PHONE) as “junior Kolchak” (google it) Noah. He’s a good kid with big dreams though his zeal for the truth (and a great scoop) often overrides his common sense (hence the frequent “B & E”). Still Thames gives Noah a real vulnerability, especially when a plan backfires and affects his beloved mother. And he’s a pretty effective sidekick to the grizzled, world-weary Gene played by Gibson as a beaten-down version of his LETHAL WEAPON Riggs (minus loads of the “crazy”). Sure, this is a “step up” from his constant stream of “straight to Redbox” action potboilers, but it’s tough to see him regulated to being a teenager’s “muscle”. He’s much better utilized than the still engaging Bracco who mostly slinks around the crime scenes with a suspicious glare. The rest of the “kid crew” are also a great “backup” and “sounding board” for Noah, in addition to being the “voice of reason’ and sanity. The biggest mystery of the movie may be the odd Southern drawl and big Panama-style hats sported by James as “newshound” from Nantucket. huh?

In his sophomore feature film directing effort, actor Daniel Henrie has put a lot of passion into this “teen mystery”, though his affection for the aforementioned “kid gang classics” often zooms past sweet homage toward cinematic larceny. The main target may be Spielberg himself (talk about going for the “big gun”), as the references and unsubtle winks begin to pile up. With the setting near Martha’s Vineyard, we know that some nods to JAWS will happen (as much of the 75 thriller was shot there), but it’s jarring when the opening beach “campfire’ sequence is lifting nearly shot by shot. Of course, the skeevy editor is the Amity Island mayor who doesn’t want to risk the loss of cash from the “Summer guests”. Plus the main theatre on the island is running HOOK (perhaps nonstop for six years). And an easy laugh is achieved by the casting of an adult actor from an adored 90s “kid comedy”. Plus the setting of 1997 feels a bit off as tech was creeping in more than the story allows (no cell phones and a clacky manual typewriter). then there’s the air of making Gibson more “family-friendly” after DADDY’S HOME 2 (this won’t be the needed “career rehab”). Perhaps the script needed a few more passes as a botched reveal scene wouldn’t play in any straight-to-homevid Scooby-Doo feature. Still, it adheres to its PG-13 rating with some slight scares and a peril-packed finale that is stretched a bit thin. Taking the kiddos to this as a respite from shopping at Spirit Halloween may feel like a good plan, though the memory of this MONSTER SUMMER will vanish well before the big spooky holiday.

1.5 Out of 4

MONSTER SUMMER opens in theatres everywhere beginning on October 4, 2024