Family-friendly Halloween films can go one of two ways: they can be super cheesy or they can have a good story that can appeal to everyone. Monster Summer falls in the latter group. While the trailer might seem like it gives you the entire story there is more to it than you see. Yes, there is a mystery to solve in this town but there is also some healing taking place within these characters.
Monster Summer takes place on Martha’s Vineyard and tells the story of Noah, played by Mason Thames. Noah’s mother owns a bed & breakfast and it seems that this takes her away from spending time with Noah and attending his baseball games. Noah wants to be a journalist like his father and constantly submits stories to the newspaper editor, played by Kevin James. His stories are often rejected because they are not happy, fluff pieces that make the island look good.
There is a mystery that is shown at the beginning of the movie and we learn more about it as it hits the island. There is a being that is attacking the kids and putting them in a comatose state. When Noah’s friend, Ben, is attacked, he realizes that it is up to him and his friends to figure out what is going on. One of the people that Noah goes for help is Mr. Gene Carruther, a former investigator played by Mel Gibson. Carruther’s character is feared by the kids in the town because of the stories of his family. Rumors have been spread that he killed them and buried them on his land.
As Caruthers and Noah investigate the mystery, we learn more about Carruther and what happened to his family. Noah forms a bond with Carruther and they both use their knowledge of the island to solve what is going on with the kids. Some supernatural elements in the movie are explained and give the movie a Stranger Things vibe. This supernatural element adds to the story and helps it from being a formulaic mystery movie.
There are a few side stories with Lorraine Bracco’s character and rifts in the friendship between Noah and his crew. Monster Summer is a decent movie to watch on a weekend afternoon with your family. The ensemble does a great job of making you feel for them. Sure the kids have their quirks, one character compares everything to movies, and the other practices Presidential speeches, but that brings out the uniqueness in each one of them.
Final Thoughts: Monster Summer has a great message about monsters both real and imaginary. The mystery does pull you in along with the supernatural aspect of it. Gibson does a good job of playing the shunned resident of the island but Mason Thames steals the movie. While the presence of Gibson might prevent people from seeing this movie, it is worth seeing with your family.
Kid-Friendly: – The film has great themes about friendships and how rumors affect people’s lives.
Violence: There is not much violence in the movie. There is some pushing and shoving between a couple of the characters but nothing too extreme.
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.