Tuesday, October 18, 2016

A Monster Calls - A Touching Fantasy Drama With Cool Special Effects

I had known that this movie was already premiering in Indonesian theaters since last Wednesday. I already planned to watch it that day but due to some late works and discussions at the office, I was not able to leave on time and could not possibly make it to the usual 7 PM show. So yesterday when my wife and I were finally having the chance, we went to watch it in Lotte shopping avenue. All right, let us proceed with the movie then.

Brief Story Line

A young boy named Connor O'Malley (Lewis MacDougall - Pan) was having daily nightmare of earthquake and he was unable to save her mother from falling into the giant hole resulted from the quake. Every day when he woke up from his nightmare, he had to prepare everything by himself for school including breakfast, doing laundry etc as his mother (Felicity Jones - The Invisible Woman, The Theory of Everything etc) was sick. It was not clearly indicated but we assumed it was cancer. In school, Connor was always bullied by another kid named Harry. 


One night at 12.07AM, Connor started to have a dream where the old yew tree that could be seen from his house came into life and turned into a very tall strong tree who was slowly walking and approaching Connor. After having few conversation, the tree who called himself "Monster" (voiced by Liam Neeson - Taken trilogy, Batman Begins, Schindler's List etc) actually scared Connor a bit, until he woke up.

Meanwhile, Connor's grandma (Sigourney Weaver - Alien quadrilogy, Avatar and many more) was concerned about Connor's mother deteriorating condition and also about the mental condition of Connor since he was still a young boy who had to take care of himself instead of his mother taking care of him. Grandma kept on suggesting that Connor should stay at her house while his mother being treated at the hospital. Connor's father (Tobby Kebbel - Ben-Hur, Fantastic Four, Warcraft etc) would take care of Connor while he was staying in Grandma's house.

After the first dream that Connor was having, he had another dream at the same time of 12:07AM where the Monster told him that he would tell 3 stories but the 4th one had to be told by Connor himself. It would be the ending of the whole stories and it would also come true. Connor at first could not accept this explanation and did not want to hear the stories, but after hearing that there might be solution to his mother's sickness, he decided to listen to it despite his disinterest at the beginning. 

So what was the reason for Connor to have those dreams? Would there be cure as he expected from the Monster? Would the stories have any impact on Connor's future? Find them all in this touching dark sad drama.

End of Brief Story Line

This movie was a drama film about a boy who had to face so many life challenges at a young age. As described by the Monster, Connor was too old to be called a child but to young to be called a man. It was a heartbreaking and touching movie with most of the scenes especially in the end were very sad. But the moral & message of the story was actually quite deep. 

The monster in this movie was not a scary monster and it was not supposed to be a film where people are being hunted by the monster or vice versa. However the special effect & the sound effect of the monster was very good. Liam Neeson's voice also added the element of warmth, strength and power.

Meanwhile, the story itself was actually adapted from the novel by the same title written by Patrick Ness. The movie was supposed to play in US theaters this month but it was delayed till early 2017. So Indonesians are quite fortunate to have the opportunity to see this one before the US. Just take note that it is only playing in 21 Cineplex cinema chain.

For me personally, the most memorable part of the movie was the 1st of the 3 stories told by the Monster. I think the similar feeling that Connor had in the end, had greater impact on my wife. Anyway, for those who love to see touching heart breaking drama with some fantasy & good but brief special effects, then this movie would be suitable for you. However for those who are looking for fantasy action movie, then you would not like to watch this. 

Happy watching!

Mike's movie moments rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars


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