A Monster Calls

The movie delivers its meaning repeatedly to make sure that no one misses the point; its lessons, rendered even more explicitly than the ones in Conor's classroom, are missing only the chalkboard and pointer.

As the movie rumbled toward its inevitably devastating conclusion, the chief emotion I felt wasn't sadness but annoyance at the dashed grander potential.

Director J.A. Bayona presents appealing worlds (real and imagined) awash in color and detail, but while his movie and its monster are very interested in exploring and explaining humanity, they don't quite get people.

Too mature to lure in the younger set and too one-dimensional to make much of an impression on adult audiences.

This is a tough movie that takes on adult issues and doesn't shy away from the grim realities of its subject matter. But that's what makes this grim children's story work. It's a work of lovely darkness.

This makes for one overcrowded assemblage of issues.

A brilliant coming of age drama that tackles an adolescent dealing with loss in a way not this well devised since "Bridge to Terabithia."

There are times when certain segments of the movie feel a little forced and heavy-handed, but regardless of those minor flaws, A Monster Calls still manages to inspire, move and entertain. A box of tissues is essential.

It has universal appeal, and something important and meaningful to say.

The film is essentially about Conor's internal struggle - man vs. himself maybe, although he's not yet a man - where hope battles despair.

[A Monster Calls] does have its share of painful honesty. But it also reminds us that truths spoken in and about love can sustain us through the darkest nights of the soul.

A magnificent film about the power of the stories in our lives, how they can help us in the most difficult times and teach us to continue the struggle despite the vicissitudes. [Full review in Spanish]