Monster Man (2003)

Monster Man (2003). 1h 35m | K-18

“Well, it has to be said that Monster Man is a huge mess of a film, but somehow multiple different genres and a clichéd plot come together to make one of the most enjoyable modern horror films Iu0026#39;ve seen in ages! The two biggest styles that the film mixes are a u0026#39;Road Tripu0026#39; style teenage comedy and a u0026#39;Texas Chainsaw Massacreu0026#39; style redneck horror vibe, and while one gets in the way of the other quite often; director Michael Davis manages to keep things moving thanks to the fact that the constant shift in tone means that weu0026#39;re never quite sure where the film is going to be taken next. Things start out worryingly as weu0026#39;re introduced to two characters, both irritating in different ways. Adam is a wussy virgin, while Harley is a fat big-mouthed u0026quot;A-holeu0026quot;. Theyu0026#39;re both driving across the desert to attend the wedding of some chick they both liked in high school. After a couple of strange events, they pick up a hitch-hiker, and then find themselves being chased by some maniac in a monster truck for reasons unknown…u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe idea of someone being chased by someone else in a bigger vehicle is hardly original, but the way the monster truck is used here is one of the filmu0026#39;s biggest assets. The truck itself looks spooky because itu0026#39;s so haggard and rusty, and the fact that it bounces around the screen makes the unfolding action exciting and suspenseful. After a while, you begin to get used to the characters and once Aimee Brooks enters the fray, things start to look up. The teen comedy side of the movie actually works pretty well, as Justin Ulrich is always on hand to deliver some entertaining lines of dialogue and the scenes between the dorky virgin and the hot female hitch-hiker are interesting enough. Just when you think the film couldnu0026#39;t possibly get any messier, things take a turn for the weird in the final third. Without spoiling things, it has to be said that Monster Man features the sort of ending that couldnu0026#39;t possibly be seen coming, and along with the twist, is a big surprise. Some people may feel ripped off by the sudden turn at the end – but I actually thought it worked quite well as it fits the film in that nothing here really fits… Overall, this isnu0026#39;t a u0026#39;greatu0026#39; film by any means – but if youu0026#39;re looking for some silly entertainment, Monster Man should hit the spot!”