Monster Summer

Greetings again from the darkness. A fun-filled film meant only to entertain is always welcome. Traditionally these show up during the summer months, but timing this one closer to Halloween makes complete sense. Written by Bryan Schulz (the grandson of the late Peanuts creator Charles Schulz) and Cornelius Uliano (his collaborator on THE PEANUTS MOVIE, 2015), the film is directed by David Henrie, best known for his role in "How I Met Your Mother". It's his first feature film gaining distribution, and it doesn't disappoint.

It's 1997 on Martha's Vineyard (although it's filmed in Southport, North Carolina) and budding journalist Noah (Mason Thames, THE BLACK PHONE, 2021) is desperately trying to follow in his recently deceased father's footsteps. However, the local newspaper editor (Kevin James) wants nothing to do with the kid's ideas. Noah suspects an evil presence in town at just about the same time Miss Halverson (Lorraine Bracco, "The Sopranos") arrives for an extended stay at the B&B run by Noah's mother (Nora Zehetner, BRICK, 2005).

Not to give anything away, but witchy things start happening. Noah's baseball teammate Ben (Noah Cottrell) is night-swimming with a lady friend (Lilah Pate), and a fright leaves him "with the lights on and no one home" (as it's described). It's summertime, so baseball is a recurring theme for Noah and his friends Eugene (Julian Lerner, the new "The Wonder Years") and Sammy (Abby James Witherspoon), with familiar face Patrick Renna (THE SANDLOT) as the league umpire. The three friends begin their own investigation, but soon enough, Noah is on his own ... at least until he joins forces with retired detective Gene (2-time Oscar winner Mel Gibson). Gene has long been the subject of local rumors and mostly keeps to himself; but Noah's work piques his interest, and the two share a form of grief.

Bits and pieces of IT (2017), THE GOONIES (1995), and more recently, "Stranger Things" all play a role, and we have references to Mulder and Scully from "The X-Files", as well as a nostalgic feel that gives this more the feel of a childhood adventure than a true horror story. However, the creep factor is strong enough to earn the PG-13 rating. It should also be noted that Mel Gibson has been 'canceled' in some circles, yet he brings the necessary gravitas to elevate the film. It also seems safe to predict that young Mason Thames has a nice acting career ahead of him. Stories revolving around neighborhood legends and myths are quite common, and this one chooses to blend the supernatural with local police cases. So, if you are up for some cinematic fun times around Halloween, director David Henrie is all about treats, not tricks.

Opening in theaters on October 4, 2024.

As much as I'm a fan of good witches like Sabrina or the sisters from Charmed, sometimes it's nice to have a witch just be evil. I also like that this movie takes itself seriously. There is some light jokes but it doesn't take away from the danger they are facing.

While the pacing could be better, the story was well written and acted, particularly Mason Thames, who plays the main guy, and Mel Gibson. The characters feel believable and they get some development and a few heartfelt moments. One might compare it to Are You Afraid Of The Dark? In that way. The ending was fun and wrapped things up nicely.

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.

The Plot: When a mysterious force begins to disrupt their big summer fun, Noah and his friends team up with a retired police detective to embark on a monstrous adventure to save their island.

I didnt know what to expect when I streamed this movie. Turns out it's pretty good. It sort of has a Goonies/Disney vibe about it. With Mel Gibson thrown in for measure.

The story is actually interesting and the kids in the movie (except for the annoying girl) are effective. Plot keeps moving and it was great to see Mel. He's really underutilized these days, but at age 68 I think he can still pull off a leading role or an action movie. And that's saying something.

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.