Love and Monsters (UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Paramount
Release Date: January 5, 2021
Rating: PG-13
Film: 4.5/5
 
Plot
Seven years after the Monsterpocalypse, Joel Dawson (Dylan O’Brien), along with the rest of humanity, has been living underground ever since giant creatures took control of the land. After reconnecting over radio with his high school girlfriend Aimee (Jessica Henwick), who is now 80 miles away at a coastal colony, Joel begins to fall for her again. As Joel realizes that there’s nothing left for him underground, he decides to venture out to Aimee, despite all the dangerous monsters that stand in his way.
 
My Thoughts
This has been a hard year for new releases due to the Pandemic and sadly, Love and Monsters is one of those films that’s a casualty. It hit theaters in October and did a paltry $1 million in box office sales domestically which is a shame considering it’s one of the best films in the genre to come out in years. If I had to sum it up in one word I’d say “fun,” but one word doesn’t give the film justice. It has a ton of heart, is laugh-out-loud funny, and you can’t help but root for Dawson to grow as a character (which he does) and you get to go along for the ride. Seriously, if this film were released in a “normal” year I could see it surpassing the $150 million dollar mark and be in line for a sequel a couple of years from now.
 
The UHD presentation is outstanding with vibrant colors and plenty of depth. My only criticism is some of the CGI effects stick out—which is common on UHD—but the colors are vibrant, and the image has tons of depth. I contemplated giving the film a perfect audio score, but the lack of DTS:X or Dolby Atmos resulted in a .25-point reduction. That being said, the audio track kicks-ass. The LFE is intense from beginning to end and the track features an active surround stage that helps draw you into the action.
 
Video 9.5/10
 
Audio 9.75/10 (DTS-HD MA 7.1)
 
Special Features:
 

• Deleted Scenes
• Bottom of the Food Chain: The Cast of Love and Monsters
• It’s a Monster’s World: Creating a Post-Apocalyptic Landscape
• UHD + Blu-ray + Digital Copy

 

 
 
Conclusion
2020 has been one hell of a year when it comes to new releases with not many to get excited about. Technically this is a 2021 release on home video and let’s just say the new year is looking much better already. If you’re looking for a fun family film with plenty of action and a ton of heart, definitely pick up this title for your collection. It’s a film I plan on watching more than once in the coming years when I have visitors over who haven’t seen it. Highly recommended.
 
 

Reference Review System:
 JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High Definition Front Projector
 (Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
 Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 88” 16x9 Fixed Screen
 Anthem AVM60 Audio/Video Processor 
 ATI AT527NC Powering Bed ChannelsATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
 Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player 
 System Controller: URC MX-980M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
 Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
 SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
 HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
 SVS SB-3000 SubwooferJL Audio Dominion D110 Subwoofer x 2 (configured as tandem mid bass modules)Mini DSP controlling all subwoofers
 Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
 PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[AVSCraig]

That looks fun ! 

[David Vaughn]

That looks fun !

Preorder it...yes, it's that good

[bmoney]

Blind preorder done. Thanks!

[AVSCraig]

I liked Dylan O'Brien in the Maze Runner series. 

[Ralph P.]

Greetings,

I enjoyed this one too. I didn't love it but, found it to be a breath of fresh air. totally agree on the overall presentation Dave. Nice job! 


Regards,

[David Vaughn]

Greetings,

I enjoyed this one too. I didn't love it but, found it to be a breath of fresh air. totally agree on the overall presentation Dave. Nice job!


Regards,

Thanks for chiming in Ralph. 

[bmoney]

Couldn’t be more right about this gem. Loved it!

Great picture and sound too

[David Vaughn]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[AVSCraig]

This movie was hysterical at times. Fun movie! My guests and I watched it last night and loved it. Picture and sound quality were outstanding too! 

[bmoney]

yup def a hidden gem

[David Vaughn]

This movie was hysterical at times. Fun movie! My guests and I watched it last night and loved it. Picture and sound quality were outstanding too!

Definitely exceeded my expectations, that's for sure. 

[AVSCraig]

Definitely exceeded my expectations, that's for sure.

The movie starts in Fairfield ! Just down the road from you - ha !

[David Vaughn]

The movie starts in Fairfield ! Just down the road from you - ha !

Yes, but unfortunately the city they showed wasn't Fairfield

[AVSCraig]

Yes, but unfortunately the city they showed wasn't Fairfield

They used a stunt double city.