Monster Summer 4K 2024 Ultra HD 2160p

In the midst of preparing for the perfect summer vacation, Noah and his friends are confronted with an inexplicable threat looming over their hometown. Teaming up with former detective Gene, the kids embark on a dangerous journey that will turn their ideas about friendship, courage, and the true secrets hidden behind the facade of their small town upside down.

User Review

Henry clearly admired Andrés Muschietti's film It and Stephen King's stories when he was working on Summer of Nightmares. Of course, this is not a film about a terrifying clown, but it also features teenagers, evil from legends, and summer in the remote American countryside. Coincidence? Hardly.

Yes, viewers may draw parallels, saying, “Oh, come on, there's nothing new here!” And they would be right, but only partially, because this film is not so bad after all, as it skillfully entertains its audience throughout its running time, who are eager to guess the true identity of the villain.

We can't talk about him, because that would be a clear spoiler, so now it's better to touch on the internal content of this film, whose release went very unnoticed. Even old Mel Gibson, whose career has now run its course and practically fallen apart, couldn't help it.

After working in cheap and silly action movies, the actor took a break and took on the role of a retired lone detective, about whom all the local townspeople make up all sorts of stories. In part, this serves as a nod to The Man Without a Face, where Gibson worked as a director.

In both films, the actor plays a man who has lost his family and recognition, but at some point goes to meet children who seek protection, friendship, and support in him. In “Nightmare Vacation,” Gibson plays a significant role and does not play the part of a “wedding” general in order to trade on his name.

Director David Henry treats the veteran actor with respect and chooses young actors who are a good match for him so that they do not get lost in the shadow of the master, which is worth mentioning separately. The teenagers hold their own well on screen, for which they deserve praise. Their acting does not raise any serious doubts.

In the plot, they are offered a glimpse into the ancient mystery of their hometown, where devilry is afoot. Children are losing their minds, some of them are disappearing without a trace, which the press deliberately keeps quiet about. The police throw up their hands, and grief-stricken parents wail and tear their hair out.

You would be right to say that this story reeks of King, even though he has nothing to do with it. The script seems to have come straight out of Stranger Things, but should we blame Henry for that? This is the global trend, at least in America.

Of course, the author is still young, he lacks experience and resources, but his hand does not tremble and his artistic vision does not abandon him. The director leads us by breadcrumbs, trying to evoke sympathy for the main characters in the viewer. The main character arcs are recognizable, but is that a bad thing?

The light in the night cuts through the darkness, and in an instant we even flinch at the rustle of a branch or the nasty laughter of an old woman. The sleepy town shudders, and its inhabitants feel its rumblings. Of course, there are plenty of conventions here, but they do not detract from “Nightmare Vacation.”

Henry once said that he wanted to make a teen movie because many people have forgotten about this genre lately. Perhaps he is right, as today such projects can be counted on the fingers of one hand. His film is not without its flaws, but it can brighten up an evening for the whole family.

It is unpretentious, simple, and understandable, because once again, children are fighting evil, aided by a tired old man whose best years are long behind him. The film does not require any expectations, because everything is already clear, so what could be easier? There is a mystery, there are heroes, there is a villain. Everything else is background.

Gibson still has what it takes, even if he has lost some of his edge. Henry has gained experience, and the young actors have added another job to their portfolios. It's not so bad, right? “Nightmare Vacation” is like a delicious sandwich, where a fresh roll is filled with cheese, sauce, and delicious butter.

It's hardly enough to seriously satisfy your hunger, but it's just right for a quick snack on the go.

Info Video

Codec: HEVC / H.265 (65.1 Mb/s)
Resolution: Native 4K (2160p)
HDR: HDR10+
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1

Info Audio

#English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
#German: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

Info Subtitles