Film Review of Love and Monsters directed by Michael Matthews: Journey About Growth

 

The "Love and Monsters" was released in October 2020, directed by Michael Matthews and starring Dylan O'Brien as a survivor, Joel, after an apocalypse. He was separated from his girlfriend, Aimee (Starring Jessica Henwick) during the apocalypse and started a journey for reuniting with Aimee after seven years from the apocalypse. 

Story Plot

The story is quite simple and easy to follow. Much time of the movie is screening Joel's journey outside the protective bunker and his interaction with other people and monsters. During the adventure, he was saved by a dog named Boy, whose owner was dead, and then continued his journey with Boy. Later, he was saved again by other travelers, Clyde (starring Michael Rooker) and Minnow (starring Ariana Greenblatt) who were going to the mountains to be safer. Eventually, Joel reunited with Aimee but found out that she had changed a lot and no longer loved him as a lover. At that time, Aimee and her colony, and Joel were set up by some stranger who claimed would bring them to a safe place. With the skill learned in the journey, Joel finally kept Aimee and her colony safe. 

Review

Although such kinds of adventure movies are very commonly seen, this movie is packed with very warm scenes such as the bonding between Joel and Boy, friendly and kind survivors helping Joel, and the consolation offered from a Robot whose battery will run out in 15minutes. Therefore, my heart is filled with warmth and positive belief after watching the movie.

The visual effect is great. The computer graphics are real and delicate, the monsters are all different in outlook even having different facial expressions, also with different scenes of wild nature and abandoned sturcutes so it is a feast for vision. In addition, the acting of the cast (especially the dog!) adds scores a lot. 

Journey About Growth

The "Love and Monsters"  is more than a normal adventurous trip, it is about the journey of growth. Joel was an easily scared person, even cannot move if was scared, but finally become a leader that brought other survivors from the bunker. Throughout the whole journey, he met many kind and helpful companions that offered him knowledge, love and consolation which help him grew. For example, Boy saved him and accompanied him throughout the trip, Clyde and Minnow taught him how to survive in the monster worlds, and also the dying Robot hearing of his sharing. Without these good-hearts, he may die in the journey and lost the strength to continue the journey. 

"I'm alive because of the generosity of a few strangers and the kindness of a great dog. My colony and I are headed to the mountains. There are supposed to be fewer monsters there. And don't get me wrong. The surface is a dangerous place. But I don't think hiding underground is the answer anymore. There is a great big, beautiful, inspiring world out there. And I know you think it might be impossible, but it's not. If I can survive out here, anybody can. It's like a good friend once told me. Good instincts are earned by making mistakes. If you're lucky enough to survive a few mistakes, you're gonna do all right out here."  - Joe

In our growth, we received much help from many people, some people may be strangers who simply had kind hearts. Even though they only appear in our lives for a period of time, the effect of their kindness shapes us now. Remember how we were reckless and proud when we were young, we thought that we knew everything, we did without thinking about the consequences. Until we met something we could not overcome and totally broke down, we understood how weak we were. At that time, though around us offer their kindness and help, even as small as making you a cup of hot coffee in the morning by a colleague, or giving you snacks by classmates, etc, all these goodwills help us to be strong again. 

Rating: 3/5