Post by Mr.HoRrOr on Jan 28, 2012 16:07:24 GMT -5
Plot:Tells of three gorgeous but deadly hired killers, Beretta, Blondie and Snowball, who hole up in a small beach side community to keep a low profile.
But the town has a dark secret. The local sea baron, Joseph, tries desperately to warn them to never go into the water, but these girls listen to no one, especially not a wheelchair bound old man, and their presence disturbs an ancient monster that has been lurking in the ocean depths. Now, along with Joseph and his beautiful granddaughter Hannah, the vixens must fight for their lives against this furious creature of the deep.
Cast:
Norman Yemm
Nelli Scarlet
Kyrie Capri
Karli Madden
Kate Watts
Scott Brennan
Steven Stagg
David Gannon
Russell Benson
Richard Wolstencroft
My Thoughts:Quentin Tarantino Eat Your Heart Out???
Review:"El Monstro Del Mar" tells the story of 3 "apparent" hired killers named Beretta, Blondie, and Snowball. (Yes...those REALLY are their names). And I say "apparent" hired killers considering the people they murder at the beginning of the movie don't seem like "bad asses" exactly. I mean. Not like the types you'd see in an Antoine Fuqua, or John Woo movie or anything. But I guess when you're on a budget..."shrugs". Anyhoo, there's a nasty scene at the beginning where the girls slit the throats of some random guys they meet on the road. Which seems more like an act of sheer sociopathy. Rather than "just another day at the office". So after said killing, they decide to hide out at a small waterfront community.
And by hide out, I basically mean they find a place to hang out, drink, laugh, and snort coke all night long. But little do they know. This community isn't like other waterfront communities. Granted, most waterfront communities don't have as many people residing there as most big cities. But this one seems to be "extremely low"...on residents. And this is because...a vicious and hungry sea creature resides within the waters near the shore! And it's apparently been snacking on the townsfolk for quite awhile. So when the trio of "killer babes" arrive.
They are unbeknownst to this. But that soon changes. Stuart Simpson's film really has a Tarantino/Grindhouse feel to it. Hence the "My Thoughts" line about QT. You can obviously tell (whether it be incidentally or purposely)...that the director patterned this movie after something Tarantino'esque or Tarantino'ish. The camera-work, the way the movie looks. The music, characters, their actions and behaviors. It all seems very grindhouse/70's'ish.
All of that plus, the cheesy creature FX. Which are pretty comical in their sheer outrageousness. But don't manage to be highly embarassing or terrible. In fact, if you'd like a comparison in cinematic terms? Think "Food Of The Gods". The first "Food Of The Gods" movie. That had some cheesy creature FX. But worked nicely for its time. This movie seemed to homage, and play to that sort of look and tone. The characters here are really "are what they are". You can't really root for Baretta, Blondie, and Snowball. All three seem crazy, and very unprofessional.
Even by hired killer standards. I mean, these three are so unorthodox and wild, that they seem like the types whos boss would hire three killers just to kill them because they've caused their employers too much of a headache! And therefore, are now considered a liability. And for some reason in this film, they're gun-less. Which is odd for hired killers. To not have guns on them at all times. But, well...I guess things work differently in this production which was shot in Australia. But has a title that resembles a Spanish monster flick. The three women are decent-looking.
And once they arrive into the community. Find a little bit of common ground with a younger female who lives with her handicapped father. But as characters you can pull for. To be honest? They seem a lot more deadly of a threat than the "freakfish" that's lurking in the waters nearby! The other characters meanwhile, are just one-dimensional throwaways who will all but certainly become "fish food".
So there's no need to get emotionally attached to them. But the one character to pull for in this movie is the young lady the three killer-femmes meet. And subsequentially try and take under their wing. Due to the creature having claimed her mother many years ago. She is traumatized a bit. And has yet to fully get over it. She also feels trapped with her invalid Papa. As she is the only one left to look after him.
The movie really is a character study of sorts about her in the end. The three femme-fatales help her find her backbone. And some attitude. But at the same time, the character also avoids being corrupted by the three girls. Who eventually get their come-uppance as well. When our sea-bound monster friend, decides to hit land, late in act three. In search of new victims. The film smartly and wisely makes the decision not to show too much of the monster too early.
And that works well for the movie. As the creature attacks and strikes with precision and malice. But you see very little of it. Except for a few tentacles. And while I won't give away too much about the monster here. It is definitely a carnivore. And after it's attacked and maimed a victim. The remnants left behind are "not". A pretty sight. The creature also draws some comparison's to the Graboids from the "Tremors" series.
But it's also different-looking enough to set itself apart from that. And the fact that it's a sea monster. Helps add to that fact. "El Monstro Del Mar" though is written to eventually, and grudgingly...get you to come to like Snowball, Baretta, and Blondie. Mostly because they kind of change somewhat upon meeting the local girl with the handicapped dad. And once the monster claims one of the three femme-fatales, well...they kind of go from evil murderous wenches. To more wounded tough-chicks with "issues".
Which I guess would be the natural reaction or set of emotions to feel once your best friend/team member has been bitch-slapped around by a gigantic sea-monster to the point where her internal injuries, are all but assuredly fatal. The film really shines in its third act though. When the monster makes a full-on appearance. And the three remaining ladies of the movie have to do battle with it. We get some good cheesy B-scifi/horror movie stuff here! And even a pretty grotesque but wicked-cool-looking decaptiation-visa-tentacle scene!
Which is followed up by an ending which fits smoothly into the films attempt to homage or copy, or maybe both? Quentin Tarantino Cinema. All in all though, "El Monstro Del Mar" is a good 80 minute indie-monster flick. It takes a somewhat original approach to its story. And allowing the females to be the main characters of the movie. And the guys be the fodder characters for the most part. Was an intriguing change of pace.
Positives:Creature FX were very grindhouse-movie'ish. They worked for what the writer/director was trying to accomplish here. The characters were interesting in their own ways. And many of the movies female characters were more than one-dimensional. The ending was a lot of fun also.
Negatives:The attempt at Tarantino Cinema-homaging here was somewhat too obvious at the beginning. But luckily the film toned down and settled into its own original pace later on.
Overall:Three stars out of four.