The End of Oak Street

Synopsis: A mysterious cosmic event rips Oak Street from suburbia and transports a neighborhood to someplace unknown. The Platt family soon discovers that their very survival depends on sticking together as they navigate their now unrecognizable surroundings. 

Movie Review: 

"The End of Oak Street" is directed by David Robert Mitchell, and it's an original sci-fi flick that has a bit of that Steven Spielberg magic. For me, it was one of the most surprising movies of the summer. It features fantastic characters, a lot of emotion, and heart, and it might just be the best Jurassic Park movie we've seen in 33 years. David Robert Mitchell does an excellent job of building suspense with some terrifying dinosaurs lurking around every corner, always ready to pounce. He captured that perfectly.

Set in 1981, the film is filled with references from that era, from the clothing to the cars, and the production design really immerses you in that time. Anne Hathaway shines as Denise Platt, a housewife with dreams of becoming an author. She delivers an outstanding performance as a clever, strong mother and wife who will do anything to protect her kids from the chaos in their neighborhood. She truly embodies the heart and soul of the film.

Ewan McGregor plays her husband, Greg Platt, and he also gives a solid performance as a loving father. However, his character can be a bit obnoxious and oblivious at times, making some questionable choices, but his charm makes him endearing. Maisy Stella and Christian Convery portray their children, Audrey and Brian, and they both do a fantastic job. The film does a great job of developing their characters, so when the dinosaurs start attacking, you genuinely care about their fate.

The visual effects are stunning, making the dinosaurs look incredibly real, scary, and at times, awe-inspiring. Some people might find the first act a bit slow, but I appreciated it for the character development that pays off later in the film. There are moments when the characters make some silly and poor decisions that had me shaking my head, and the third act, which involves time travel, does get a little convoluted. But as a huge sci-fi fan, I found this to be a delightful surprise that had heart I am giving it “ The End of Oak Street” a 4/5 stars.   

Director: David Robert Mitchell 

Cast: Anne Hathaway, Ewan McGregor, Christian Convery, Maisy Stella, Jordan Alexa Davis, P.J. Byrne, Bethany Anne Lind, Emily Kuroda, Denitra Islar, Hudson Meek and Anne Gee Byrd 

Runtime: 99 Minutes