IR Film Review: MONSTER ISLAND [Shudder]
The aspect of an island of terror is nothing new but the structure of any horror movie in this vein depends on context. With "Monster Island" which premiered on Shudder, it follows a crew marooned on an island during the latter part of World War II off of what was called a "hellship" which was a POW prisoner camp on the water. Often the Allies would sink these boats not realizing it contained their own. When Saito (Dean Fujioka) and Bronson (Callum Woodhouse) wash up on shore shackled to each other (and not speaking the same language) the question becomes one of trust though there initially there seems to be a monster in the water which fuels their paranoia (though we never actually see what it is). Writer/Director Mike Wiluan does well in trying to keep the face of the main monster away and mysterious. "Monster Island" actually feels like a mix of "Creature From The Black Lagoon" and "Predator". The film was filmed in a mix of Capetown and New Zealand on actual rivers and coasts so it does create an interestingly real feel at times especially when the action starts in.
The gore and bloodletting are not cartoonish but they are done on purpose to the slight edge of frame. Wiluan tries to use the teamwork between Saito and Bronson to build a sense of empathy as they travel throughout the island. Woodhouse at times overplays his solider though he does embody the earnestness of such as character. However it is Fujioka who seems more connected as Saito since he seems to find both his humanity but also strength as time goes on (especially involving a samurai sword). The actual creature and its background is not quite clear but in addition it does bear a resemblance to a separate Star Trek creature. The ending resolution wants to create a sense of emotional connection which is definitely a smart move but overplays the community between the two men. "Monster Island" is a fairly straightforward genre pic with some practical FX and interesting locations while not overstepping its bounds with gore. B
By Tim Wassberg
