Hmmm.
This film apparently frustrated and disappointed many people. After seeing it, I can see why. But it is not a bad film.
Let me explain.
Due to the hype and the trailer of this movie, many people may have thought they were going to get a modern day equivalent of Speilburg's early movies like E.T, The Goonies, and Close Encounters of The Third Kind.
In short, it is not.
I believe it's a good movie about some kids trying to make a movie, and about a kid (Joel Courtney) trying to find a way to carry on after the death of his mother. It's an ok movie about the escape of a monster, after a spectacular train crash.
Two movies in one. The latter movie not being that good, despite the special effects. The former story is where my interest lies.
The kids, Charles (Riley Griffths), Cary (Ryan Lee), Preston (Zach Mills), Martin (Gabriel Brusso) and Alice (Fanning) as well as Joe are trying to make a Zombie flick, with a camera of the movie title. This is the core of the movie and in my opinion the best part. The naturalistic speech of the children is a pleasure to witness.
It is the interaction of the kids and the evocation of a certain place and time.
The "escaped monster" part of the film is cliched and ultimately unsatisfying.
If watched as a character piece with some special effects thrown in, some enjoyment can be had. It's definitely no Goonies!
