The End of Oak Street is the best Steven Spielberg film you’ll watch all year, despite being directed It Follows’ David Robert Mitchell. It’s a type of nonsensical, absurd yet slightly predictable popcorn flick that families will keep returning to for years to come.
In 1980s suburbia, like the start of every good family-friendly action flick. Denise (Anne Hathaway) and Greg Platt (Ewan McGregor) are a couple on the brink of divorce but smiling through family dinners and block parties. The setup is that ‘80s Spielberg, Stephen King, Stranger Things-style universe where all kids own a bicycle and a baseball tee. But, also, it’s a childhood so idyllic you just know it’s about to go very wrong.
Stranger Things On Oak Street
One summer’s day, strange things start happening in their neighborhood. A fully-grown exotic plant appears out of nowhere, their kids Audrey (Maisy Stella) and Brian (Christian Convery) are blamed when an exorbitant amount of dung arrives in their overbearing neighbor Mel’s (P.J. Byrne) yard, and it all comes to a head when a thunderstorm leads to a chain of apocalyptic events.
Anyone who has seen the trailer or any promotional material for The End of Oak Street knows what comes next. The suspense of the first act is slightly dampened by the fact everyone knows that dinosaurs are on their way. And you’ll find plenty of dinosaurs here, both in the air and on the ground.
The Platt’s nice little suburb gets totally cut off from society as all ways out get blocked by a tropical rainforest. So now it’s them, their neighbors and kids vs dinosaurs with no way out. It’s a simple setup that gets you quickly to the point, if not slightly underdeveloped.
These creatures look great as well, as they merge into suburbia, sitting in pools, enjoying ice cream, moving into homes like they live there. It’s clear that attention to detail went into every scale and every feather, making them feel like real creatures. Even when dinos aren’t chasing the family, proof of their existence is peppered through every shot. There is a real sense that this is a real neighborhood that had a mysterious prehistorical makeover.
Anne Hathaway Vs. Dinos, what more could you want?
There are no hidden depths to The End of Oak Street. You have Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor, plus two refreshingly not annoying teenagers, trying to survive as dinosaurs take over their neighbourhood.
The movie may have benefited from more lore expansion, an added dimension, or extra developments. But Mitchell came up with a fun idea and cast two talented, well-liked actors, and that is enough to keep you amused.
Over 100’s minutes, the survival film takes mostly predictable beats as the Platts ’ neighborhood is transformed into a prehistoric playground. The film mostly stays on one level, and that isn’t anything wrong with that, but don’t go in expecting anything deeper than a popcorn flick.
For a PG-13, The End of Oak Street pushes what it can show in terms of blood and gore as their idyllic street gets torn apart. The film effectively balances the survival horror elements without losing its popcorn flick heart. Somehow, Mitchell has managed to make a midnight creature horror film that is suitable for families. Think 1980s Spielberg making a Cloverfield movie.
The End of Oak Street – A Crowd Pleaser
The End of Oak Street is immense fun, even in moments when it shouldn’t be. The characters make some terrible decisions which will likely earn a reaction from the audience. It’s played entirely straight, and whether the laughs are on purpose, well, the jury is still out. These moments will make you glad to see the film in cinemas surrounded by others.
Anne Hathaway will always commit to a bit, there is no doubt about that. At times, she is doing a little too much facially. The events in front of the actress don’t always earn the wild eyes, gurning face, and curled lip response she gives. Occasionally, Hathaway’s facial expressions are a little distracting. McGregor is a warm everyman, even if his American accent wanders over the Atlantic Ocean. Casting these two was a genius move, because thanks to audiences’ prior relationship with the actors, we instantly like them, no build-up or character background required.
The ending won’t satisfy everyone. In fact, people looking for something a little deeper and mysterious may find themselves underwhelmed with how straightforward proceedings are. But, if you’re here to see Anne Hathaway wield a shotgun and hit dinosaurs with various household objects, boy do I have a movie for you.
If you want silly, nostalgic popcorn fun for the family, The End of Oak Street is for you. It takes everything you loved about movies from the 80s and 90s and gives them a modern twist that will please younger (although not too young) family members. Sure, it could have pushed the concept more and add an extra layer of complexity. But there is something admirable about the audacity of the film and a relief it’s not trying to be anything more than it is.
See The End of Oak Street knowing as little as possible with as many people as possible for maximum effect.
Rating: B-
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The End of Oak Street
After a mysterious cosmic event rips Oak Street from suburbia and transports their neighborhood to someplace unknown, the Platt family soon discovers that their very survival depends on them sticking together as they navigate their now unrecognizable surroundings.
