Big Monster on Campus

It's not a film I would go out of my way to watch, but it's amusing on a boring Sunday afternoon (when I watched it). I was expecting some awful "teen" rubbish, but was pleasantly surprised. Enjoyably offbeat and dark in places, but it's mostly just unassuming comedy horror.

This film is a nice if unimposing blend of Beetlejuice & Fast Times at Ridgemont High. It has a good pace, fine timing, & excellent performances (especially by Ryan Reynolds as the "monster"). Truly a serendipitous experience.

I have watched this movie about ten times now, and I notice something new and funny each time. I thought every character was well-played. Of course you have to suspend reality somewhat, but what horror/ reanimation movie doesn't require that. This movie is much more a comedy than a horror flick. The delivery of some lines is priceless Frank:"I can get a brain from my dad's lab!" Tuttle:"Oh, how convenient!" Perhaps this movie is better watched after a few beers - anyhow, it is my favorite in its' genre.

I stumbled upon the 2000 movie "Big Monster on Campus" (aka "Boltneck") here in 2021 by random luck. I hadn't even heard about the movie prior to now as I sat down to watch it. But I saw that the movie had Ryan Reynolds on the cast list and on the cover, so of course I opted to sit down and watch this 2020 horror comedy from writer Dave Payne.

Well, "Big Monster on Campus" wasn't exactly a grand cinematic experience, that was for sure. But hey, the movie was watchable, despite it being a cheesy movie.

As for the storyline told in the movie, well it was semi-adequate. It was sort of a modern take on the classic Shelley's "Frankenstein" story, but with a hefty doze of teen-spirit added to it. So it was somewhat of an odd movie and an acquired taste really.

What impressed me about "Big Monster on Campus" was the cast ensemble. They had a heap of nice actors and actresses to participate in this movie. It was sort of fun to watch Ryan Reynolds in a movie such as this, and he was actually pulling off the movie nice enough. The movie also has the likes of Christine Lakin, Shelley Duvall, Richard Moll and Judge Reinhold on the cast list, so there is a good handful of proper talents in the movie.

While I managed to sit through directors Mitch Marcus and John Blush's 2000 movie, then it was not a movie that I will be fondly remembering or looking back upon. Nay, "Big Monster on Campus" was a bit too mundane and generic. And I bet that I will have forgotten about the movie come next week.

My rating of "Big Monster on Campus" lands on a very bland and mediocre five out of ten stars.

I saw this film in the video under the release title "Boltneck". I was pleasantly surprised!! The film was funny, slick, and really well acted. A Fun Halloween Movie!! I rented with intentions of just "Killing Time" and ended up really enjoying it!!