Movie review - Monsters of California

Monsters of California ** (out of 5) The title intends to refer to a variety of entities sought by three adventuresome teen lads. We meet them hunting ghosts and demons before they shift into pursuing urban legend myths and ultimately trying to prove UFOs have been visiting from other worlds. The title unintentionally winds up applying to many of the mere mortals among them.

Dallas’ (Jack Samson) dad was a Navy pilot, presumed dead from a previous secrecy-shrouded mission some years before. His smart pal Riley (Jared Scott) and their goofy stoner cohort nicknamed Toe (Jack Lancaster) crash headlong into conflicts with military and covert government entities thwarting their efforts and dogging them in search of some intel Dallas’ dad may have left behind. That bunch is headed by Casper Van Dien, playing yet another stern military man – this time with some suspense in whether his motives are good or evil. Along the way, Dallas finds a potential love interest in newcomer Kelly (Gabrielle Haugh) after their romcom meet-cute.

For kickers, Dallas is pissed that his mom is dating some bland fellow without truly knowing that her hubby is deceased, rather than MIA. Dallas yearns for the latter to be true, and hopes to discover an extant father who had to lie low for some noble purpose. Or at least know that he’s really gone as a byproduct of their broader quest. Three of the kids provide fairly intelligent curiosity; Toe adds the comic relief that stoner sidekicks contribute in most cabin-in-the-woods frightfests.

The proceedings are more frenetic than profound, except for the several times they come to a grinding halt for windy monologues about protecting the environment. The film never quite settles on being something coherent within a genre. It starts off as a horror flick, dangles bits of soap opera and coming-of-age themes, before lurching into sci-fi and conspiracy territory, with an overriding “who can you believe?” theme. Playful and profound do not blend well in director and co-writer Tom DeLonge's script. The title could have been Close Encounters of the Worst Kind.

The most intriguing element is Richard Kind, who built a fine career of playing a wide range of annoying doofusus (doofi?). He’s spot-on in a role calling for a scholarly look, demeanor and intellect straight out of Alfred Molina’s wheelhouse. Nice to see Kind’s stretch, albeit in an otherwise unsatisfying package.

(Monsters of California opens in theaters and On Demand 10/6/23)