Monster Trucks (2016)
Synopsis:
Tripp is a high school senior who loves building trucks and dreams of escaping his small town. His life takes an extraordinary turn when he discovers Creech, a subterranean creature with an insatiable appetite for oil and speed. To protect his unusual new friend from those who want to capture him, Tripp hides Creech under the hood of his custom-built truck, inadvertently creating a real-life monster truck with incredible powers. As they bond over their shared love of adventure and velocity, the unlikely pair must work together to help Creech reunite with his family while evading those determined to exploit him. With the help of his friend Meredith, Tripp embarks on a wild journey that combines heart-pounding action with an unexpected friendship, proving that the most powerful connections can form between the most different of creatures.
Where To Watch: Monster Trucks
Parental Feedback
Monster Trucks delivers a fast-paced, action-oriented adventure that blends creature-feature elements with vehicular stunts and chase sequences. Parents should expect a lighthearted tone with comedic moments balanced against moderate action intensity, including destruction of property and some perilous situations. The story moves quickly through its premise, maintaining an energetic pace that younger viewers may find exciting while older children might appreciate the creative concept at its core.
Why Kids Should Watch Monster Trucks
This adventure offers several appealing elements for young audiences seeking entertainment with heart.
The creative premise of combining creatures with vehicles provides a unique and imaginative concept that sparks curiosity. Children who enjoy inventive storytelling will find the unusual friendship at the center refreshingly original.
The action sequences are designed to be thrilling without crossing into overly frightening territory for most school-age children. The PG rating reflects content that balances excitement with age-appropriate boundaries.
Themes of friendship and protecting those who are different offer positive messages about acceptance and standing up for others. These values are woven naturally into the adventure without feeling preachy.
The visual effects and creature design provide entertainment value that holds attention, particularly for children who enjoy action-packed stories. The runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes keeps the story moving without excessive length.
Why Kids Shouldn't Watch Monster Trucks
Parents may want to consider several factors before viewing with younger or more sensitive children.
The action sequences include vehicle crashes, explosions, and property destruction that could be intense for very young viewers. While rated PG, some chase scenes and perilous moments may require parental guidance for children under seven.
The critical reception, with a 32% Rotten Tomatoes rating and 41/100 Metacritic score, suggests the storytelling may not engage all family members equally. Parents seeking higher-quality narratives might find the execution lacking despite the creative premise.
Some sequences involve corporate antagonists and threatening situations that could create mild tension for sensitive children. The conflict-driven plot includes characters in danger that may warrant discussion with younger viewers.
Verdict: Parent Approved
Monster Trucks earns approval for families with school-age children who enjoy action-adventure stories and can handle moderate intensity, though parents of very young or sensitive viewers should preview first.
What Parents Should Know About Monster Trucks
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does this Movie model positive behavior that my child can understand and repeat? | Yes, the story emphasizes friendship, protecting others, and standing up against wrongdoing in ways children can understand. |
| Does this Movie include emotional moments my child might find confusing or intense? | Some perilous action sequences and moments of danger may create tension for younger or more sensitive viewers. |
| Does this Movie show consequences for unkind or unsafe behavior? | Yes, antagonistic characters face consequences for their harmful actions throughout the story. |
| Does this Movie reinforce helpful social skills like sharing, apologizing, or teamwork? | The narrative emphasizes teamwork and cooperation as characters work together to solve problems and protect their friend. |
| Will my child come away with any clear moral or message? | Children will understand messages about accepting those who are different and the importance of doing what's right even when it's difficult. |
The Overall Sentiment From Parental Feedback
Parents generally view Monster Trucks as acceptable family entertainment that works best for elementary-age children who enjoy action and creative concepts. Many appreciate the PG rating and positive themes of friendship and acceptance, finding it suitable for family movie nights with children who can handle moderate action intensity. Some parents note that while the premise is imaginative, the execution may not satisfy adults seeking more sophisticated storytelling. The consensus suggests it serves as decent entertainment for its target demographic, though families with very young children may want to preview the action sequences first to ensure appropriateness for their specific child's sensitivity level.
Official Monster Trucks Trailer
Why Kids Love Monster Trucks
When a slimy, tentacled creature named Creech crawls under the hood of Tripp's homemade truck, the vehicle transforms into a roaring, jumping monster machine. The truck suddenly leaps over obstacles, smashes through barriers, and races at wild speeds because Creech powers it from the inside like a living engine. Kids love watching this gooey alien buddy turn an ordinary pickup into a high-flying, tire-screeching beast.
The movie delivers nonstop chases as Tripp and his friend Meredith zoom away from Burke and the bad guys trying to capture Creech. Trucks flip, crash through fences, and bounce across junkyards in explosive set pieces. Every chase scene amps up the chaos with metal crunching, engines roaring, and Creech's squishy tentacles steering the truck through impossible stunts.
Creech himself steals scenes with his mischievous personality and funny squelching sounds as he squirms around the truck's machinery. This gas-guzzling creature gobbles fuel, makes goofy noises, and communicates through playful gestures. Watching Tripp and Creech team up to outrun danger and reunite Creech with his underground family keeps the action rolling from start to finish.