Is the new “science fiction/survival” film, The End of Oak Street, a fun, exciting 99 minutes with an old-time “creature feature” vibe? Absolutely. Is it—as some reviews stated—the best dinosaur movie of all time? Absolutely not. Uh-uh, not even close.
WORMHOLES AND SOLAR FLARES
In a previous post, “Disasters: Great For Bringing Estranged Couples Together,” I noted how many films utilized this time-worn device. The End of Oak Street is no different. Wanna-be novelist Denise Platt (Anne Hathaway) and husband Greg (Ewan McGregor) are not doing well at all, as we learn during suburban Oak Street’s 1982 summer block party. Their issues are affecting their teen kids, Audrey and Brian. The family works hard at putting on a happy front for their neighbors.
But all of that becomes moot when recent solar flare activity creates a wormhole that sends Oak Street, and a number of surrounding streets, back millions of years, smack dab in the middle of a prehistoric landscape. When dinosaurs begin chowing down on the neighbors, the Platts must pull together as a family to survive, and to learn if there is a way back to their own time.
This dinosaur was late to the block party.
ANNE AND THE DINOSAURS
I’m not going to do a synopsis here, not even an overview. There would be too much to give away. Just a few thoughts. First and foremost, I totally enjoyed this film. I’ve mentioned before that I’m a sucker for dinosaurs, haven’t I? And in that regard, The End of Oak Street does not disappoint. There are some confusing plot points, as you might expect with any story involving time travel. But Anne Hathaway’s portrayal as Denise Platt is worth the price of admission. And its reviews were quite good, scoring 86% on Rotten Tomatoes.
As of a week ago, The End of Oak Street has grossed a little over $120 million worldwide. I have to wonder if moviegoers’ interest in dinosaur films is waning. Yet Jurassic World Rebirth, last year’s latest entry in that franchise, earned nearly $900 million, even with a blah 50% review rate on Rotten Tomatoes.
In any case, I highly recommend The End of Oak Street. And whatever films are forthcoming, I’m in.