Title: Love and Monsters
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Michael Matthews
Starring: Dylan O’Brien, Jessica Henwick, Michael Rooker
Runtime: 1 hr 49 mins

What It Is: When the world goes to absolute hell in a handbasket a nuclear wasteland is formed. Now insects bugs and previously small and somewhat harmless creatures are now the size of kaiju. During the last few moments, the world was normal regular guy Joel (O’Brien) is separated from his loving girlfriend Aimee (Henwick). Now he lives, day to day, in a vault safe and away from the hellscape above. When he finds out that Aimee is both alive and only a little over 80 miles away he is determined to get to her. Now he’ll face his fears and the crazy unknowns of this new world in order to find the love of his life. Luckily, he isn’t in this completely alone.

What We Think: This movie absolutely rocked! Dylan O’Brien is made for the apocalypse. The first Maze Runner was a surprise September release back when it came out. Once again this guy shows he’s got the charisma to be a leading man. His dorky charm seeps into each scene and makes his heroes unexpected but also totally expected arc a believable one. The CGI here looks pretty great the creatures larger than life and super intimidating. Michael Rooker and young Ariana Greenblatt steal every scene they’re in. I really freaking loved how Michael Matthews handles all of this. He forms a wild and crazy sci-fi action comedy that plants an idea in your head and takes it somewhere else. I heard some critics talking about a weak third act…it’s not as strong, I will give you that, but it’s a refreshingly unexpected ending. One true to the characters built and the story told.

Our Grade: B-, So much fun to be had here. This is one of 2020’s biggest and most fun surprises. Chock full of light-hearted moments and even a few heartwrenching ones. There is at no point a time in this film that the smile was off my face once it got there. I think it’ll do the same for you. So go ahead and check this one out! It’s on VOD and available to rent right now!