The Monster

A woman's terrified scream pierces the night, and we see an elevator door opening and closing on a protruding leg. Are you laughing yet? For yes, this is a slapstick comedy about a hapless, disaster-prone schnook who is mistaken by the police for a serial sex killer. Despite the considerable ingenuity of writer and star Roberto Benigni, Italy's answer to Jim Carrey, the deadly premise and repetitive scenes of women terrorized by Benigni's unwitting antics (what is he doing with a chainsaw in a parking garage?) cast a pall over the proceedings. By the way, this is reportedly the highest-grossing film in Italy's history. Fellini must be rolling over in his grave. Not a necessary purchase. (K. Lee Benson) [Blu-ray/DVD Review—Oct. 22, 2019—Kino Lorber, 118 min., in Italian w/English subtitles, R, DVD: $19.99, Blu-ray: $29.99—Making its latest appearance on DVD and debut on Blu-ray, 1994’s The Monster features a great transfer and a DTS-HD 2.0 soundtrack on the Blu-ray release. Extras include audio commentary by film historian and critic Peter Tonguette. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a tone-deaf comedy that has not improved with age.]