Monster

Interesting story about a good kid getting caught up in a bad situation. The voiceover was a bit heavy handed at times. I didn't understand the decision to have Kelvin Harrison Jr tell us how tough he was finding prison but barely show it. I didn't feel as strong a connection to Harrison Jr's character as I should have. There were good performances from the entire cast. The best scenes were when the actors got a chance to show emotion. The aspiring filmmaker plot didn't really deliver. The girlfriend's scenes with Harrison Jr were good but she doesn't have much to do post arrest. Ultimately the film tells a realistic story but leaves a lot to be desired.

Despite the star-studded cast of vastly talented, and most times undervalued artists, what I love most about Monster is that the film paid its true creator all the praises. Based on Dean Myers' book, the screenwriter allowed the author to speak for and through the film, and to the point where watching it, at times, felt as if I was in a small book store with my eyes closed, listening to one of the greatest writers in American history paint an image of a simple life in Harlem that could easily have been my own.

Production: Good script. Okay editing. Some of the scenes were a little jarring to the narrative. Good casting. Sets look realistic. 6/10.

On screen: Good to decent acting. Most of the actors are believable, but sometimes their actions seemed unnatural. Good cinematography. The artsy esthetic works for this film. 7/10.

Content/Impact: The telling of this story is necessary to combat the racism that black people, especially young black men, face today. The humanity that is shown throughout the film of black youth and how racism can write their own narrative is profound. Not only did it illustrate this through the main character Steve Harmon but the fact that it was shown through one of the "antagonists" William King shows us the complexity of black people meaning that black people are people too just like everyone else breaking the stereotype that black people are a monolith. 10/10.

Overall: Solid book to film adaptation needed in the world we live in today. 7.6/10.

Why do movies so regularly show the murder suspect going to trial, of all things, nearly immediately after arrest? The average time for this particular situation is two years or so before full trial. Our "hero" would have had several months in jail, not prison, leading up to it. After a conviction he'll do his time in prison. It's that simple, why not hire a competent consultant or listen to their "consulting", you know, what you pay them for?

And a lone detective dressed like a comic book investigator making the arrest? Absolutely laughable!

The gray colored courtroom looked like either a cartoon or Star Trek simulation room, I can't decide which. Ridiculous decision, and yes I get the artistic angle since they were pushing it so hard, but still bad. The narration even mentioned it, referring to justice being black or white, no gray. Then it's pure gray, huh?

Wright, Nelson, and Victor all had excellent performances as expected, rest were meh.

It seems quite obvious where the movie leads at first. It does take a few turns and twists along the way. The main thing is how certain people are viewed though - based on the color of their skin as one example that is being explored here. You may feel that this is being a bit one dimensional, but as I already stated there is more to it than at first sight (no pun intended) and also unfortunately as cliche as it may sound, it is bitter reality ... still to this day.

Having said all that, the movie has some very actors in it ... and some very dramatic moments to say the least. Many times if a colored kid is being singled out and made responsible for a crime, they plead for a bargain ... which is anything but that, especially if they are innocent. This goes to the court ... which can turn out to be even worse than taking a plea deal ... what will happen here? Well I am not going to tell you, you have to watch if you want to know ... but be prepared for everything ...