A Monster Calls

[fraz]

Just watched this as the latest Odeon Screen Unseen film.

I thought it was well cast, Lewis MacDougall really excelled as young Conor, struggling to come to terms with his mothers terminal illness.

On the whole though, I didnt really invest in the interactions with the 'monster' and felt it was a little flat. Sure, it was very sad in places but also was a bit boring.

The effects were good though, loved the water colour style animations for the monsters first two stories. Should bode well for J. A. Bayona taking the reins for Jurassic Park 5.. hopefully..

6/10

[The Sparrow]

Well that certainly was an emotive little film. All the main cast played their parts well. Niam Leeson's voice was wonderful for the monster and quite scared me towards the end. Lewis MacDougall was so good and my heart went out to Conor for having to deal with such changes in his young life and the problems he suffered at school.

[S_taylor81]

Watched the film last night. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. It has such a heartfelt emotional story that definitely tugs on the old heart strings. The casting was great. Loved Liam Neeson's voice as the monster, Felicity Jones was awesome as always, and the little boy (Lewis Macdougall) is a star in the making. The watercolour effects for the stories looked amazing. Only negative was Sigorney Weaver's English accent but that is just me nit picking.

Overall score 7.7/10

[McG]

Saw this last night . . .and could definitely watch it again. I wasn't too sure how the film was going to be and was surprised to see 2 young children being brought in, probably about 5 and 7. However it's definitely not a film for young children! The subject matter is definitely of a teenage +.
I had absolutely no idea where the story was going to end but have to admit to seeing a link to a Christmas Carol with 3 stories for the monster to tell.
I was really moved by the plight of Conor and his world. Liam Nelson's voice was fantastic as that of the monster particularly in the opening words . . .definitely shivers down the spine!
As ploggit said 'It's definitely not your typical Christmas film!' I enjoyed it just the same . . .
Marks 8/10

[yogi]

I was disappointed and struggled to get into this film.

I'm not sure if it was because a huge movie star like Sigourney Weaver was in it when I knew a lot of it had been filmed in small towns and villages around the Greater Manchester area or possibly it was the huge CGI tree monster voiced by a booming Liam Neeson which, to me, seemed to completely overwhelm what was quite an intimate, personal story.

It certainly wasn't the acting, the boy playing Conor was especially good, but I found myself already checking my watch after about 40 minutes. 5/10

[NizzlePizzle]

Saw this last night and I think mine were the only dry eyes in the house! Everyone around me was sobbing. There's some beautiful metaphors littered throughout the film and I'd like to see it again to take it in a bit more.

I hadn't a clue what to expect but was pleasantly surprised! Echoing the sentiments that Sig' Weaver seemed an odd casting; she played her part well but something didn't feel right.

The watercolour parts were beautiful.

Overall 7.5/10

[steve]

Quite enjoyed this although not sure what age group it is aimed at. Thought the acting was good although why they had Sigourney Weaver playing the gran when they could have used a British actress to play the same part confounded me. Also although Liam Neesons voice worked for me he sounded just like Patrick Stewart.

[steve9872]

Didn't anyone else notice Liam in the family photos? Meaning he was also the grandfather?

[S_taylor81]

Didn't anyone else notice Liam in the family photos? Meaning he was also the grandfather?

Yes I noticed it, it was a nice little tie in for the film

[McG]

Didn't anyone else notice Liam in the family photos? Meaning he was also the grandfather?

Yes I noticed it, it was a nice little tie in for the film

Yip . . .saw it too! Nice touch.