MONSTERS OF CALIFORNIA
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Monsters of California
(l-r) Jack Samson, Richard Kind, Gabrielle Haugh and Jared Scott, in MONSTERS OF CALIFORNIA. Courtesy of Screen Media
The title MONSTERS OF CALIFORNIA intends to refer to a variety of entities sought by three adventuresome teen lads. We meet them hunting ghosts and demons before they shift into pursuing urban legend myths and ultimately trying to prove UFOs have been visiting from other worlds. The title unintentionally winds up equally applying to many of the mere mortals among them.
Dallas Edward’s (Jack Samson) dad was a Navy pilot, presumed dead from a secrecy-shrouded mission some years before. His smart pal Riley (Jared Scott) and their goofy stoner cohort nicknamed Toe (Jack Lancaster) crash headlong into conflicts with military and covert government entities thwarting their efforts while also dogging them in search of some intel Dallas’ dad may have left behind. That bunch is headed by Casper Van Dien, playing yet another stern military man – this time with suspense in whether his motives are good, evil or mixed. Along the way, Dallas finds a potential love interest in newcomer Kelly (Gabrielle Haugh) after their rom-com-esque meet-cute.
For kickers, Dallas is pissed that his mom is dating some bland fellow, despite lingering doubt as to whether her hubby is deceased rather than MIA. Dallas yearns for the latter to be true, and hopes to discover an extant father who had to lie low for some noble purpose. Or at least to get closure from confirming dad’s demise as a byproduct of their broader quest. Three of the kids provide fairly intelligent curiosity; Toe adds the comic relief that toking sidekicks contribute to most of the cabin-in-the-woods fright-fests.
The proceedings are more frenetic than amusing or profound, except for the several times they come to a grinding halt for windy monologues about protecting the environment. All the "message" efforts about governmental cover-ups and ecology ring hollow. The film never quite settles on being something coherent within a genre. It starts off as a horror flick, dangles bits of soap opera and coming-of-age themes, before lurching into sci-fi and conspiracy territory, with an overriding "who can you believe?" theme. Playful and profound do not blend well in director/co-writer Tom DeLonge’s (of Blink182) script. The title could have been CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE WORST KIND.
The most intriguing feature comes from Richard Kind, who built a fine career of playing a wide range of annoying doofuses (doofi?). He’s spot-on in a role calling for a scholarly look, demeanor and intellect straight out of Alfred Molina’s wheelhouse. Nice to see Kind’s stretch, albeit in an otherwise unsatisfying package.
MONSTERS OF CALIFORNIA debuts Friday, Oct. 6, in theaters and streaming on demand.
RATING: 1.5 out of 4 stars
https://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2023/10/monsters-of-california-review/