Monster Summer

Monster Summer is like The Sandlot kids taking on the supernatural. It serves as a great introduction to horror films (and Mel Gibson) for kids and preteens.

Even if the story is familiar, I really enjoyed it. It isn't made for someone my age, but the writing and direction feels very Spielbergian. The characters are way above average for a family movie.

Also, there's a twist I can't believe I didn't see coming. If I were a kid, I would've called it one of my favorite movies because I always found Are You Afraid of the Dark? And Goosebumps to be lacking the bite that this movie has.

Spooky season popcorn fun for all.

Monster Summer is a nostalgic throwback to the classic horror films of the 90s, blending coming-of-age drama with supernatural thrills. Director David Henrie masterfully captures the essence of a summer gone wrong, injecting a healthy dose of creature feature fun.

The film follows Noah and his friends as they navigate the challenges of adolescence while confronting a monstrous threat lurking beneath the surface of their idyllic island paradise. Mel Gibson delivers a solid performance as the grizzled detective who guides the young protagonists on their perilous journey. The young actors, Mason Thames and Julian Lerner, bring energy and authenticity to their roles, making their characters both relatable and endearing.

While the plot may not break new ground, if I were a teenager in the 90s and early 2000's, Monster Summer would have been an instant classic. It's a nostalgic trip down memory lane for older viewers and a thrilling introduction to horror for a new generation.

If you have seen The Goonies and The Sandlot you will feel the vibes on this one especially from the beginning even with or without the Umpire played by Patrick Renna from The Sandlot . This was a good watch on a rainy late afternoon here in Great Britain whilst having supper. This is definitely a watch for the family but not sure on kids under a certain age as has one or two wee parts that might scare a minor or three.

A mysterious force disrupts Noah and his friends' summer fun. They team up with a retired police detective to embark on a monstrous adventure to save their island.

Worth a watch i say.

The set up is a bit like Stand By Me, but gradually builds up like a classic horror throwback. You might get vibes of a psychedelic cross between Lost Boys and Stranger Things. You might even feel hints of some popular anime or manga mixing in. Most interesting though is that it might just resemble an even more twisted complex version of the classic story, Hansel and Gretal. Though I may have simplified the description, the atmosphere and plot are starkingly similar to those movies. However it isn't all about horror as plenty of mystery elements and bits of angst, understanding others, and growing up even out the overall experience. It's certainly worth watching and if you like this type of movie, then it's also worth buying.

I was surprised with some of the really negative reviews and remarks of, 'for kids only'.

I viewed the trailer for this movie and I wasn't sure if it was a horror flick or a "scary" kids movie. I really appreciate Mel Gibson's work and I love horror flicks.

I never watched Sandlot, but I know the guy in it is the ref in Monster Summer. I kept thinking, it's similar to Sandlot, only because he's in it.

I would say this movie gave me vibes of Monster Squad and Stranger Things. I didn't think of it, but a few mention Goonies (and I agree).

This movie also reminded me of the Mel Gibson flick where he's a burned victim and befriends a younger boy (The Man Without a Face). A great movie that showcases a heartwarming and unexpected friendship with no age boundaries.

Monster Squad has evil, but it was a fun flick with meaning. Monster Summer has evil, kids have died (but in the past and this is not shown). Yet it has an inspiring creative lead young boy. Who has a strong friendship with a talented young athlete. There's jokes, creativity, kids being kids, and kids experiencing something scary and acting like a type of zombie afterwards. The adults totally miss what's actually going on, except Mel Gibson's character. His character is very interesting. The lead young writer teams up to find and stop whoever is doing bad things to these children.

I enjoyed it!