Title: A Monster Calls
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: J.A. Bayona
Starring: Lewis MacDougall, Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Jones
Runtime: 1 hr 48 mins

What It Is: Young Conor (MacDougall) is dealing with some stuff. His father (Toby Kebbell) has moved to the United States and his mum is dealing with cancer. On top of all that he’s bullied in school and his grandmother (Weaver) is not there for him. Now a monster (Liam Neeson) is speaking to him. Requiring to hear his truth, but only after hearing three stories. With everything falling apart one can hope that this young man can pull it all together.

What We Think: This is a beautiful, poignant film. Bayona’s camera never feels intrusive and Lewis MacDougall gives a heartbreaker of a performance. Full disclosure, I expected nothing at all out of this film. What I got instead was something painted with love for the source material and daring enough to make it work. For a film such as this, the CGI looked good and Liam Neeson voicing the creature gave it an instant boost of gravitas. It is that that helps guide us through an incredibly difficult time in our protagonist’s life.

Our Grade: A-, Never lacking in the emotional pull this for sure might be the most unexpected film of 2016 to make you weep. That it has that effect given its premise is a true testament to Bayona’s skill. Hugh shout out to the young Lewis MacDougall for his performance. To make this young man the backbone of the film is brave, luckily Felicity Jones is there to help the kid out. See this film, it’s wonderful! Slight work on the CGI would’ve made this almost perfect. This is a film the whole family can enjoy and I think that makes it even better, am I right?