The premise of Monster Portal 2022—what occurs when a portal opens to a realm inspired by Lovecraftian horror?—is fantastic! It's genuinely exciting to witness creatures from that style of mythos getting attention, particularly in a film featuring so many of them. However, the human characters are incredibly dull. The dialogue isn’t good either; it contrasts sharply with films like Godzilla or King Kong, which feature engaging human elements, even if those humans aren't always central to the story. These characters simply lack any spark. I found the dad to be the most compelling of the bunch. Honestly, the first half was so tedious that I felt lost and confused, but not in a deliberately puzzling way like you might find in a David Lynch film—just plain boring. The movie does become somewhat more engaging when the monsters appear, though the visual effects are noticeably poor, which seems to be an ongoing issue with modern monster movies. Certain shots are visually appealing, although generally they remain fairly ordinary. The final forest scene is quite striking due to the lighting; unfortunately, even there, the CGI detracts from the effect. The film’s pacing feels odd—the entire experience gives the impression that it's mostly exposition and setup. I wonder if a sequel is in development? Or perhaps a director’s cut? #releasetheMatthewcut?? Despite the shortcomings, the monster designs are appealing, and surprisingly, the CGI isn't as terrible as one might expect; it actually adds to the otherworldly feel. I would love for a major studio to create a Lovecraft-inspired film franchise! Imagine how amazing that could be—perhaps even including Galactus! Cthulhu versus Galactus would be incredible!

Source on TMDB