THE DOG. Aw. Don't tell my cats but I'm legit in love with the doggie that is featured in this movie. It's really one of the greatest depictions of a canine's heart and personality that has ever been captured on film. Please never inform me that he was portrayed by more than one pooch. I don't want to know that. I need to believe he was ONE good boy. By the way, that's his name, "Boy" and he reminds me of every four-legged friend I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. Oh damn, I got something in my eye. It's like Holly Hunter in RAISING ARIZONA, "I love him so much!!!" I need more of this doggie. I want to see his future adventures.
(Update: I just found out on IMDb that Boy was played by two dogs named Hero and Dodge and it turns out I'm totally OK with that).
THE SCREENPLAY. I'm kind of absolutely astonished that this wonderful movie was written by Brian Duffield, the same talented dude who wrote the awesome UNDERWATER and also scripted and directed (!) the excellent (and strangely inspiring) SPONTANEOUS. I mean, I can't think of (m)any scriptwriters who have written three of my favorite movies in their entire career much less a guy who wrote three of my favorite flicks in one single year! I'm so impressed that now I have to anxiously wait for the inevitable moment my hero disappoints me and reveals himself to be a rotten person of some sort.
THE WONDER. What an endlessly fascinating world that is created here! The whole planet is basically destroyed (yay) or at least ninety five percent of the population and all the animal and insect life has been transformed into monstrous and often disgusting (yay) mutants. It's truly terrifying and exciting and basically all of my insane dreams come true. I know it's supposed to be more like a nightmare but I can't help myself. I would gladly take living in peril every day over having to endure modern life's stinky conveyor belt of annoying nonsense.
THE HUMOR. This movie really hits my funny bone squarely, directly and consistently. From the self-deprecating lead, Joel (an extremely likable Dylan O'Brien) to the gruff snark of partial companions Clyde (the legendary Michael Rooker) and pint-sized side-kick Minnow (adorable Ariana Greenblatt), these are folks I really dig hanging out with. When Minnow reveals that some of the most gnarliest looking monsters are actually amiable and that their eyes give them away, it's like a potent dose of humanity injected right into my veins.
THE CRAB. As a kid who grew up watching Ray Harryhausen flavored monster flicks on weekend afternoons, I absolutely adore an impossible creature or two, especially the kind that hangs out on the beach. Giant mutated creatures bring me great joy and my itch to behold them is satiated far too infrequently. Without ruining a very charming and important plot point, let me just say this particular decapod crustacean has a personality trait that warms my cold, tired heart.
EXTRA: THE SCORE. Oooooh the counterintuitive musical score by Marco Beltrami (the SCREAM flicks among many others) and frequent collaborator Marcus Trumpp is all kinds of awesome and even includes banjos (!?!) plucking away. I love the sound of a banjo. Anyway, see this movie at all costs; it rules. I forgot to even mention the lovable robot! Mav1s!
So, so, soooooo 100% there with you on this great popcorn flick. With the premise of living in a world where everything wants to eat or kill you, they should have called it Love and Australia.
bdwilcox,
Thanks for the back up! It’s such a fantastic flick and i enjoyed it even more the second time around. I think it’s destined to become a go-to comfort movie for me. I love everything about it and I may need to get the blu-ray to match my dvd (only special flicks get purchased in both formats).
You know, I totally missed the homage to Harryhausen's Mysterious Island. As a side-note, the crab Harryhausen animated was a real crab shell with an armature installed in it; the crew ate the crab. As a second side-note, all of Harryhausen's miniature armatures were made by his dad until his father passed away,
BTW, "Harryhausen's?!? But it's impossible to get a reservation there!"
I keep hearing great things about this. The Blu-Ray's only $15 on Amazon, & I have some gift card $$$ there. Looks like I just figured out what to blow it on!
You won't be disappointed! This is a popcorn flick you'll want to sit down and watch with others as well.