Movie Review: THE END OF OAK STREET

It is said that THE END OF OAK STREET is the best JURASSIC PARK movie since the first Jurassic Park movie in 1993.

And, darn it, if that isn’t the truth.

Written and Directed by David Robert Mitchell (IT FOLLOWS), THE END OF OAK STREET is set in pre-cellphone 1982 and tells the tale of a suburban Detroit neighborhood (the aforementioned Oak Street) that is suddenly transported (by movie-science means) to prehistoric times and the residents of said neighborhood must battle dinosaurs to survive.

Oak Street plays out pretty much as you would expect as their are plenty of neighbors to be used as dinosaur fodder while our core group run, hide and fight to survive.

And…this core group is fun to watch as Ewan McGregor (MOULIN ROUGE) and Anne Hathaway (THE ODYSSEY) are charismatic actors/characters to follow as the couple who’s marriage is falling apart. Can this escapade help bring this couple back to seeing what they originally loved in each other?

What do you think?

McGregor knows exactly what type of movie he is in (afterall, he’s done a few Star Wars films) and ably acts and reacts to the CGI Dinosaurs in an appropriate manner and has us, the audience, rooting for him throughout.

Hathaway, however, is the standout in this film as she gives an Oscar-caliber performance while playing against a green screen (and CGI Dinos). At first one thinks that this is a bit much for this type of film, but as the film goes on one is grateful for Hathaway’s gifts as she draws you in, helping you forget the absurdity of what is happening.

And, of course, in this type of film enjoyment is derived by the amount of humans being eaten by dinosaurs ratio and this ratio is plenty high (as opposed to last year’s JURASSIC WORLD: REBIRTH). There are plenty of tasty morsels for the prehistoric creatures to sample…and sample them they do!

All of this is ably steered by Mitchell who knows exactly what type of film he is making, is not apologetic about it, avoids any desire to drive deeper themes and delivers a dynamite dino film.

Head to the Cineplex, turn off your phone (and your brain), buy a big tub of popcorn and enjoy the ride - you’ll be glad you did.

Letter Grade: B+

7 1/2 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)