Watch Lake Michigan Monster
- TV-MA
- 2019
- 1 hr 18 min
-
6.2 (1,017)
Lake Michigan Monster is a 2018 black-and-white comedy monster movie directed, written by and starring Ryland Brickson Cole Tews. The film follows captain Seafield (Tews), a steely-eyed sailor who is obsessed with catching the titular Lake Michigan monster that is said to exist in the depths of the lake. Along with a ragtag crew, including a failed playwright, a disgruntled scientist, and a co-pilot with no experience, Seafield sets out to catch the monster and prove to the world that it exists.
The movie starts with a mockumentary-style introduction, stating the purpose and location of the film. The comedic tone is set right from the beginning, with the narrator's voiceover description of the monster being ridiculous and absurd. As the story progresses, the audience is taken through various satirical and hilarious moments with the crew encountering multiple setbacks and troubles on their quest to capture the creature.
The movie is shot entirely in black and white, and the visuals are heavily inspired by vintage monster movies from the 1950s and 1960s. The director also makes use of stop-motion animation to enhance the special effects of the film, making the monster sequences all the more entertaining. The retro look gives the movie an added charm, and it is fun to see the crew navigate the perilous lake to hunt down the beast.
While Lake Michigan Monster primarily falls under the genre of comedy, it also has elements of action and horror. There are scenes of intense action as the crew attempts to catch the monster, which reach their climax in an epic battle sequence in the final act. The horror elements are also present, albeit in a comedic fashion, with the monster itself being terrifying yet comical in its appearance.
The performances in the movie are top-notch, with Ryland Brickson Cole Tews leading the cast as the captain of the ship. Tews brings a unique style of humor and deadpan delivery to his character, making the captain both ridiculous and lovable at the same time. Beulah Peters as Mary, the first mate of the ship, is also exceptional, bringing a strong and empowered female presence to the movie. Erick West as Sean the scientist and Chiel van der Wolf as Nedge Roundtree the playwright, provide a lot of laughs with their quirky and eccentric characters.
The movie's soundtrack is also noteworthy, featuring an excellent score that perfectly complements the absurdity of the story. The soundtrack's retro vibe further adds to the homage to classic monster movies, and its catchy tunes are sure to have the audience humming to them long after the movie is over.
Overall, Lake Michigan Monster is a fun and entertaining movie that provides a unique take on the monster genre. The movie's ideal mix of humor, action, and horror, combined with the excellent performances and fantastic visuals, make it a film that is sure to appeal to a wide audience. The director's passion for the genre and his excellent storytelling skills shine through, making Lake Michigan Monster a must-watch for anyone who wants to have a good laugh and be entertained.
Lake Michigan Monster is a 2019 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.