Monolithe

A couple of lively, prototypically querulous L. A. Cops, Tucker (Bill Paxton) and Terri (Lindsay Frost) fatefully discover the terrifying truth behind the sinisterly shapeshifting exploits of an alien in this enjoyably noisome 90s Sci-actioner. This neglected time killer has a golden cast, slam bang action, goofball buddy Cop badinage, mild weirdosity, healthy schlock elements and a thunderous climax, giving Monolith some viable B-movie heft. I can appreciate why some disparage Monolith, and, hopefully, they might also do me the same courtesy and regard my earnest enjoyment with comparable equanimity. You say Tomato, I say Clamato, what cooks your goose don't do much for your Gander etc. Etc. Etc. Patently Low brow, not quite monobrow, Monolith is less compelling than The Hidden, yet the cosy familiarity of the Twilight Zoned text kept me tuned in. Hey!!! No one in full command of their mental faculties will ever claim this specific Monolith is responsible for the evolution of man, but I'm more of a devolutionist, anyhoo!!!

Mix"leathal weapon" and a Roger Corman movie and you have an idea what you are in for.

Monolith (R) - MCA Universal Home Video: Low-budget hack John Eyres (PROJECT SHADOWCHASER), a director whose penchant for making bubbleheaded B-action scripts seem like high-concept A-list product without the subtext stymies him time after time, lends his flashy, contrived visual style (mostly achieved through lighting and heavy FX work) to this hokey, logic-free sci-fi actioner about two stereotypically mismatched cops (Bill Paxton and Lindsay Frost, bad quip traders to the end) who encounter creepy research guys, assorted walking dead, monster gun battles, and a hefty serving of explosions as they track a body-hopping alien entity to the source of its power. While PROJECT SHADOWCHASER ripped huge chunks from TERMINATOR and DIE HARD, MONOLITH's inspirations seem to come from a plethora of Big Action Flicks, as its alien beastie - bereft of motive or, apparently, physical form - proves little more than a MacGuffin to allow Eyres to show off his remarkable-for-this-budget action and FX sequences, particularly a boffo climax. In between these, however, we get grating, failed attempts at comedy and hero banter so stale a chainsaw couldn't cut it. However, if you go in expecting a full wheel of cheese with the FX wine (in this case a nice Mogen David), then you'll be less disappointed. I give it a 4

This film really caught me off guard. IT had a close to A list cast, looked great on the video box when I rented it (Circa 1994 I think) started off with promise but rapidly became a mess.... It sorta has the feel of an unfinished and un-post produced mainstream scifi action flick.

Terrible editing and f/x. Uninspired dialogue and generic plot. What the hell was Paxton and Hurt doing in this? Even Gossett jnr was a pull around this time.. Did the director have some juicy info on them all to get them to work on this dross? Thankfully for him Gossett shows some good judgement (watch and it'll make sense)

I see the same director did Project Shadowchaser, A video staple of rentals in the uk during the early 90's. That had Martin Kove and the Android to hold it together. Here the stars just seem to be trying to battle thru to the end and forget they were involved lol

As fledgling film maker myself, I think a lot of people don't understand just how damn hard it to make a movie. But yeah, it could have been better. I think the overall story was ok and yeah I'm sure more money would have helped. Some of the 'green screen' scenes are well...I can do better in my lounge room with my equipment and a laptop these days but remember this is from 1993 and things were a lot different then. I think without the actors they somehow got into this it would have been ever worse, they obviously thought it was worth working on but I wonder how much they got paid?....anyway 4 stars, for trying while it probably only really deserves maybe 2....