THE MONSTER PROJECT

INDIE HORROR FLICK

Film Review by Fiore 

Anyone who is a regular reader of my reviews, and you are legion, knows I am not a fan of the ‘found footage’ genre.  As a general rule, I try to avoid these films at all costs.  They are just too difficult to watch.  That said, you should know I made it all the way through THE MONSTER PROJECT, even though it is a found footage film, and I’m glad I did; it offered a decent horror tale with a nifty twist at the end.

The story revolves around Devon, played by Justin Bruenig.  He creates cheesy, staged monster videos on YouTube and makes decent money from the number of hits they receive.  With the help of his friends Jamal, played by Jamal Quezaire, Murielle played by Murielle Zuker and Bryan, played by Tobey Hemingway, Devon decides to take his videos to the next level, and create a YouTube movie.  His idea is to make a documentary on people who think they are real monsters.  Though he knows the precept is all a scam, he rations that with a few schlock SFX, he can go viral.  The project is a go, until the wannabe movie crew stumbles upon a real skinwalker, Steven played by Steven Flores, a real vampire Shayla played by Yvonne Zima and a girl possessed by a demon Shiori played by Shiori Ideta.  Now the troupe’s video lark turns into a fight for survival against supernatural forces.

1.1        KEY SCENES TO LOOK FOR:

1.      THE CONCLUDING RITUAL

2.      THE DEMON EMERGES

3.      THE FIGHT WITH THE VAMPIRE

The found footage effect provides a few jumpy moments, so some credit must go to Phillip Sebal and his camerawork.  Although, once again, I must point out there are segments when the camera is so shaky as to make the movie unwatchable.  It’s worse than having to sit through Uncle Charlie’s home videos.  Sebal also serves as the film’s editor, and keeps THE MONSTER PROJECT to a respectable 95 minutes.

A special tip of the hat goes to Jim Beinke, who created and designed the monster make-up.  Shiori’s demon is especially noteworthy.  Beinke is not a Hollywood main-stay, but his work here will certainly bring him notoriety, just like THE INCREDIBLE MELTING MAN did for Rick Baker. 

Let’s take a look at the report card for THE MONSTER PROJECT:

1.2   ACTING = C

1.3   CINEMATOGRAPHY = D

1.4   SOUND/MUSIC = C

1.5   EDITING = B

1.6   LIGHTING = B

1.7   SCRIPT = B

1.8   SFX = A

1.9   ACTION = B

THE MONSTER PROJECT, like so many Indie films these days, was funded primarily through Kickstarter.  While the internet money garnering tool provides capital for too many projects which should never see the light of day, or a projection screen, THE MONSTER PROJECT is not one of them.  For those of you who love the old Hammer horror films, Director Victor Mathieu has pieced together an enjoyable movie, especially for a date night, or with a group of friends and lots of popcorn.

The movie is not opening in Pittsburgh, but it will release this weekend on VOD and PPV for those in the ‘burgh who are interested in checking it out.

REWATCH INDEX:  AVERAGE