OUR MOVIE REVIEW:

If you like creature features - meaning movies where some kind of mysterious monster is hunting and killing humans - then you’ll probably enjoy Elevation.

As sci-fi action thrillers go, it was a solidly entertaining movie. Shot on location in and around the mountains of beautiful Boulder and Golden, CO, it’s almost worth watching just for the scenery. 

The cast does a great job, too - from adorable child actor Danny Boyd, Jr. to competent leads Anthony Mackie and Morena Baccarin. 

Elevation opens a few years after giant, insect-like monsters have tunneled up from underground, taken over the earth and wiped out any humans who couldn’t escape to a mountain top. That’s right - the murder bugs can’t go over 8,000 feet. Like, literally, they can go up to 7,999 and a half feet in elevation, but not one tentacle or antennae higher. 

If that’s not weird enough, the “reapers,” as they’ve been dubbed by the remaining humans, only go after people. Herds of horses and cattle are roaming free, untouched by the murder bugs. Only people are attacked and torn to pieces by “the new apex predators” patrolling the earth under 8,000 feet.

This premise sets up the action nicely, as of course the surviving mountaintop communities have run out of many things that they could find if they went out on a hunting mission down to the cities and towns in valleys below. We see our heroes wistfully eat their last blue box of Kraft macaroni and cheese, but that’s not reason enough to risk their lives going below 8,000 feet.

When a child runs out of his asthma medication or breathing treatment, however, it is a critical reason to go. 

We learn that the boy’s mother had been on a run for more supplies when she was taken and killed by the reapers. A scientist friend was with her on that risky endeavor and still feels guilt for the mom’s death, as does the father who feels he should have been the one to go instead.

I won’t go into any more detail for fear of spoiling, but I’m sure you can imagine that the resulting journey has all the jump scares and close calls that make movie watching so enjoyable. As the scientist races against time to find a way to stop these seemingly indestructible predators, and the father risks his life to stealthily go below 8,000 feet for hospital supplies for his son, the movie races to a satisfying resolution.

The director does a great job with both gorgeous scenic views and CGI action, including some clever set pieces in dark mine tunnels and up on a ski lift, of all things. I had no trouble suspending disbelief to follow the action, but I’ll admit that my more skeptical partner did mumble “That’s not real” several times under his breath.

That said, Elevation holds its own against other sci fi action thrillers like A Quiet Place and Aliens with its unique premise, heart-pounding action and believable characters we want to see succeed. 

The film even ends with a clever tease that might result in a sequel. If they make it, I’ll be sure to watch!