In 2016, there have been a lot of films that have come out that have had trailers to movies that looked weird, bombed at the box office, but yet turned out to be amazing. This is the case for "A Monster Calls".
"A Monster Calls" stars Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Jones, Toby Kebbell, Liam Neeson, and Lewis MacDougall and directed by J.A. Bayona. The film is based off the book of the same name by Patrick Ness (inspired by the original idea by Siobhan Dowd), who also wrote the film.
"A Monster Calls" follows the story of Connor (MacDougall), a kid who is a loner at school, being bullied, and has to move in with his Grandma (Weaver) as his Mum (Jones) is dying of cancer. All the while, a tree monster (Voiced by Neeson) comes and tells Connor three stories at 12:07, with the fourth story has to be told by Connor.
First, I have to say that the movie looks absolutely beautiful. The cinematography and the visual effects are breathtaking. The CGI of the Monster and the two stories that are in are in drawings are some of the best animation and CGI in years.
And that can be said for the movie in general. The movie is absolutely beautiful and probably the best movie I have seen in a while.
The film is well acted, especially from Jones. Felicity Jones was absoulutely the best part of the movie. Jones gave a heartbreaking performance. It was way to overdramatic and wasn't too under played. You believe Jones is on her death bed and want her to live just to see Connor to be happy. If Viola Davis doesn't get nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars, Jones deserves any and all awards.
Toby Kebbell, who plays the father, was great as well. And Sigourney Weaver is amazing in the film. Weaver has an accent in the film and it works, you believe she is British. Liam Neeson gave probably his best performance of all time. Neeson was not only intemidating when he needs to be, but he is also understanding and you agree with a lot of the Monster's point of view of the three stories. But let's talk about MacDougall as Connor.
This is a film where the main character is a kid. This is the best in a long time. Not only did MacDougall give a phenominal performance, his character is written like an actual kid. Connor questions everything, like a kid does, whenever he gets in trouble. Connor is not saying catch phrases and tweeting constantly, Connor is a kid.
The connection between MacDougall and Jones felt real. They felt like actual people. You feel really bad for Connor when he finds out that he has to move in with his Grandma, because you want to see Connor with his Mum all the time throughout the moive.
I can't really talk about the movie without spoiling it, and trust me, I don't watn to spoil it for you. Even though the story has been done to death and it's based off a book, "A Monster Calls" is a freshly orignal film with phenominal acting, effects, direction, and a great movie for kids to see.
However, the themes in the movie are to complex for 5 years-old, this is a movie for 10 years and up. Please go see this movie. I don't like to "overhype" a movie, but this one is worth it.
"A Monster Calls" is rated PG-13 for thematic content and some scary images.
"A Monster Calls" has a run time of 1 hour and 48 minutes.
