Written and directed by David Robert Mitchell, returning with a new project. One where it is IT Follows meets Jurassic Park. A portrayal of a world hitting its breaking point and evolving into uncharted territory.  There are dinosaurs and prehistoric forests growing, yet the year is 1982. There is a clever setup of nostalgia with a family trying to be happy, but with too many flaws in the dynamics. All normalcy goes downhill in an adventurous way. The End of Oak Street has some entertaining moments for many audiences.

 

With an apocalyptic setting that comes from the ground, the creativity is vibrant. The film focuses on a family. The mother and father are Denise and Greg (Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor). The daughter and son are Audrey and Brian (Maisy Stella and Christian Convery). Many family struggles abound asGreg struggles to hold down a job, and Denise tries to write a book. Brian has issues with friends and experiments with cigarettes. Audrey is seen as just a normal and social human. They have their issues, however, and the dynamic of how a family sticks together holds lots of faith. This is tested here, because outside of their home, there are dinosaurs. The new apocalypse rises in The End of Oak Street. 

 

Mitchell’s directing has stepped up. He knows how to add comedic value in The End of Oak Street with dinosaurs hopping out in one moment and new worlds colliding in another. There is deep sense of satisfaction in watching all of this–I was sold with The End of Oak Street. The survival modes had me especially roped in.  Many films surrounding the “fighting to live” scenariohave predictable flaws, putting limitations on the action. That is not the case with The End of Oak Street.

 

As the family tries to survive in the neighborhood, Denise and Greg hit a bad patch, and Hathaway and McGregor show that they are one-of-a-kind when it comes to these things. With being used to seeing McGregor as Obi-Wan from Star Wars, it is like watching a former jedi trying to survive on a Jurassic Worldplanet. Also, with being used to viewing Hathaway as the nerd employee from The Devil Wears Prada, I found when watchingher play a woman dealing with pure disaster her outbursts are astounding.

 

The End of Oak Street feels like a Steven Spielberg flick, but it is one where Mitchell definitely has his own vision. I applaud the fun he incorporates. It is quirky and not so perfect. However, the characterizations and the era of the film speak true, making for an unusual gem here. This is one that will be fun for teens and up. Even though it is rated PG-13, some graphics go a bit over the top for the rating itself, especially surrounding some of the violence and nature moments. There are also some odd innuendos. The offbeat direction of Mitchell is what makes The End of Oak Street a classic. Three out of four stars.