If you think feathered dinosaurs and Anne Hathaway can save a completely mindless plot, think again. The End of Oak Street didnt win me over.
Synopsis
Picture a cosy 1980s suburb where everyday family drama suddenly collides with terrifying prehistoric predators. Anne Hathaway plays Audrey, a struggling mother trying to protect her family when chaos engulfs Oak Street.
Cast & Performances
Anne Hathaway absolutely acts her socks off here. She masterfully balances a depressed, struggling wife and an unstoppable super protector. Unfortunately, the rest of the characters make ridiculously stupid decisions throughout the film. Consequently, their frustrating choices will grind your gears and pull you out of the experience entirely.
Production & Visuals
Visually, The End of Oak Street nails its 80s aesthetic completely. The authentic cars and cosy homes create a genuinely lived-in world. Furthermore, the filmmakers sprinkle in stylish split diopter head shots to build tension. While these clever camera techniques lead nowhere, they look incredibly cool. Additionally, the modernised feathered raptor designs look fantastic. Meanwhile, the mighty Brachiosaurus steals every scene, quite literally carrying the species on its back.
The Verdict
Prepare yourself for some genuine terror and slow-burn scares. You will actively scream at screen characters to turn around. Despite a few light-hearted laughs, brutal kills quickly prove this is no family film. Tragically, the narrative completely falls apart. The script tries focusing on a divorce subplot, but that idea dies immediately. Worse still, an insulting 30-second sci-fi book explanation attempts to hand-wave the entire mystery away. Ultimately, the story leaves you asking what the point was. Quite disappointing because it’s a really good premise. However, you should definitely watch this in 4DX for the thrilling action.
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