‘The End of Oak Street’ is Surface Level Cinematic Fun
Some cinematic mash-ups are so wild that you truly have to see it to believe it. For some, the cast and creatives pull off something spectacular, creating something no one has ever seen before and that needs more of immediately. Other times, studios take a big swing with a truly original idea, and it isn’t the hit everyone’s anticipating. Regardless of the outcome, it’s important for films to arrive in cinemas with truly wild ideas, because it shows filmmakers are trying new, daring ways to impress audiences with a unique experience unlike anything they’ve seen before. Such as, The End of Oak Street.
I know what some of you might be thinking: are dinosaurs in today’s world really that novel? I get that; I grew up in a world where Jurassic Park spawned three sequels and a reboot series, so the thought is not wasted on me. However, The End of Oak Street attempts something different from modern dinosaur-thriller movies that the Jurassic Park franchise never touched on. Instead of creating dinosaurs in the present, what if someone, or even their entire block, is transported to another time where these prehistoric creatures still rule the world? Writer and director David Robert Mitchell (It Follows, Under the Silver Lake) poses an interesting concept; however, as with most modern science-fiction movies, it always comes down to how well it is pulled off.
While The End of Oak Street promises plenty of scares as the Platt family and their neighbors do their best to stay alive, does the film stand on its own narratively?
[Warning: light spoilers from The End of Oak Street are below!]
We’re not in Kansas anymore…
Denise Platt (Anne Hathaway) has big dreams for herself. Having done the domestic life as a devoted wife and doting mother, she’s finally looking to step outside of what she knows and try something new. Stories swim around her head, novels that she hopes to one day share with the world, although she struggles to believe in herself fully for a multitude of reasons. Perhaps the biggest one is her husband, Greg (Ewan McGregor).
Not to say he doesn’t believe in her, but he’s not exactly what you would call a supportive partner. Having recently lost his job and delivering pizzas to make ends meet, he’s living in his own world of self-pity. Simply put, Denise and Greg aren’t doing well as a couple. Their marriage is falling apart, and there’s not much they can do to stitch it back up. So perhaps the best thing they can do for their children is split up. However, the universe has something in store for the Platt Family…
What begins as any normal morning quickly spirals into an adventure that none of them are prepared for. No power, few resources, and dinosaurs roaming around just outside their house. What was once a need to thrive quickly becomes a desperate desire to survive. Can Denise, Greg, and their children survive whatever the hell is happening to Oak Street?
Surface-level fun in The End of Oak Street
So what exactly was I expecting from The End of Oak Street? I wish I could answer that with confidence, but truthfully, I don’t think there’s an easy answer. When it first started advertising, it looked like any other basic-level survival film; however, there were hints of something more lurking beneath the surface. Perhaps it could have been a secret Cloverfield film? That seemed to be a popular sentiment circulating online, which would have easily added a layer of intrigue to the film’s premise. However, the first impression of The End of Oak Street was definitely the first, as this film doesn’t seem to go deeper than surface level.
The End of Oak Street is an incredibly fun movie to watch, much like the original Jurassic Park. You’re watching a group of people attempt to survive an impossible situation. However, if you attempt to look any deeper than the action, The End of Oak Street begins to fall apart at the seams. If you’re looking for a reason why the things that are happening are occurring, you won’t find it in the movie, sans a throwaway line or two. Logic disappears quickly if you attempt to make sense of the science behind the events of this film, making you wonder if it was a good movie or if you’ve somehow been bamboozled by flashy dinosaurs and excellent acting.
Final thoughts on this Warner Bro. film
What’s the answer then? The End of Oak Street is a mess in many ways, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t fun. If you watch this movie with the mission to just turn your mind off and enjoy what’s in front of you, then you’re going to have a great time. There’s plenty of heart-pumping action that will keep you on the edge of your seat. However, if you’re looking for something with a bit more substance, then The End of Oak Street will crumble rather quickly. Nothing about what is going on on Oak Street truly makes sense when you start to think about it. Instead, if you take it purely as a popcorn flick and nothing more, you might just walk away with a fun time.
The End of Oak Street is currently in theaters! Have you seen this movie? What did you think of it? Share your thoughts on social media and tag @bsb.insider to continue the conversation!
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