MOMO: The Missouri Monster is another title from Small Town Monsters, the production company that made Terror in the Skies. While I had a generalized critique of the presentation of indigenous populations in Terror in the Skies, I enjoyed the film and was impressed with the work and love with which it was made. So, when I was given the chance to review MOMO: The Missouri Monster, I jumped at the chance this film did not disappoint.
Also See: Terror in the Skies Was Almost the Cryptid Documentary That Could Go Mainstream [Review]
MOMO: The Missouri Monster is so unique that I am hard pressed to think of another film like it. So, MOMO: The Missouri Monster is a movie (that was made by Small Town Monsters), but is presented as a found film from 1975 that was never fully produced, but luckily the host, Blackburn (of Blackburn’s Cryptid Files) has found one of the only copies to show his viewers. So, after showing the audience clips of the movie, Blackburn comes in with real facts and interviews with real people who break down what the MOMO movie is showing. However, both the Momo movie and Blackburn’s Cryptid Files are not real! They were both made by Small Town Productions, but the interviews, newspaper clippings, and other facts are! This blew me away. Small Town Monsters did not have to do this, they could have simply interviewed people, used some recreation animations and called it a day. But instead they created two projects, placed them together, added the accounts of real folks, and created a masterpiece.
MOMO: The Missouri Monster has such a charming unique format and take on narrative storytelling that is compelling, entertaining, and fills the void in my heart that I usually try to satisfy with shows like Ghost Adventures and Finding Bigfoot. Speaking of which, the content made by Small Town Monsters is so well done, it should be on television. I love Ghost Adventures, but the choppy editing, overblown personalities, and typically unsatisfying endings do not hold a candle to Blackburn’s smooth narration and charming personality. You do not have to believe anything about MOMO (the monster) to enjoy this work and that is what makes it so good. If Blackburn’s Cryptid Files was an actual television show, I would tune in every week or find it on my favorite streaming service. This is the cryptid content that we are missing. Not random folks running in the woods with guns making ‘Bigfoot noises’ or trying to make something out of nothing.
I cannot stress enough what an enjoyable experience. I will say that the acting in the fake MOMO movie is not awe inspriing, but honestly, it’s a creation that is supposed to be a bad monster movie from the 70s. So, with that in mind, I saw that as just another aspect that makes this experience awesome.
I have rarely given a movie 10/10 during my time at Wicked Horror, but MOMO: The Missouri Monster was so creative, well crafted, and genuinely enjoyable that I want to sing its praises. Again, if you like monster features and are looking for a unique experience this is it.
The film will be available nationwide September 20th on DVD, as well as Vimeo OnDemand, Amazon Instant Video, and VIDI Space.
WICKED RATING: 10/10
Director(s): Seth Breedlove
Writer(s): Seth Breedlove, Mark Matzke, Jason Utes
Stars: Lyle Blackburn, Ken Rose, Adam Duggan
Release: September 20th on DVD, as well as Vimeo OnDemand, Amazon Instant Video, and VIDI Space.
Studio/ Production Co: Small Town Monsters
Language: English
Length: 82 min
Sub-Genre: Cryptids, Documentary
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