MONSTER TRUCKS (2017)

Summary:

Tripp Coley, a high school senior with a passion for building monster trucks, feels out of place in his small North Dakota town. His life takes an extraordinary turn when an oil drilling operation by the corrupt Terravex corporation accidentally unearths a hidden subterranean ecosystem, releasing three unique, oil-eating creatures. One of these creatures, a large, tentacled being, escapes and finds refuge in Tripp's junkyard, forming an unlikely bond with him. Tripp names the creature Creech, discovering that it can power his custom-built truck, turning it into a living, breathing monster machine.

As Tripp and Creech develop a deep friendship, they are forced to protect their secret from Terravex's ruthless head of security, Rick Burke, who is determined to capture Creech and cover up the company's environmental transgressions. With the help of his crush Meredith and his estranged father Wade, Tripp embarks on a thrilling adventure to save Creech and reunite him with his family, exposing Terravex's illegal activities in the process. The film is a family-friendly blend of action, adventure, and sci-fi, exploring themes of friendship, environmental responsibility, and finding one's place.

Keywords: Monster Trucks, 2017, Lucas Till, Jane Levy, Chris Wedge, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Sci-Fi.

Plot:

The story introduces Tripp Coley, a bright but restless high school senior living in a small, isolated North Dakota town. He spends his days working at a local junkyard, a place filled with discarded vehicles and the lingering scent of oil and rust, dreaming of escaping his mundane life and building his own monster truck. His only real connection is with his crush, Meredith, a tutor who often tries to help him with his studies, and his estranged mother, Cindy. Tripp feels a profound sense of abandonment, particularly from his father, Wade, a sheriff's deputy who left them years ago. Meanwhile, the powerful energy corporation Terravex, led by the ambitious and ruthless CEO Reece Tenneson and the head of security, Rick Burke, is aggressively drilling for oil in the area. Their operations are deep, pushing the limits of known geology. One fateful night, their drilling rig punctures a massive underground aquifer, inadvertently unleashing a hidden ecosystem. This catastrophic event releases three previously unknown, bioluminescent creatures from their subterranean habitat. Two of these creatures are quickly captured by Terravex, but the third, smaller and more agile, manages to escape the chaos, finding refuge in the sprawling junkyard where Tripp works.

Tripp discovers the creature hiding amongst the scrap metal. It’s unlike anything he’s ever seen: a large, tentacled being resembling a giant, friendly octopus or squid, with a unique, truck-like face and a curious, intelligent gaze. The creature, which Tripp soon affectionately names Creech due to its distinctive clicking sounds, has an extraordinary ability – it consumes oil, not as food in the traditional sense, but as an energy source. When Creech ingests oil, its internal bioluminescence intensifies, and it gains incredible strength and speed. Tripp soon realizes that Creech can actually fit perfectly into the chassis of his partially built monster truck, its tentacles forming a natural connection to the vehicle's drivetrain and steering mechanisms. This symbiotic relationship transforms Tripp's truck into a living, breathing, incredibly powerful monster machine. A unique bond forms between the lonely teenager and the displaced creature. Their initial interactions are cautious, but soon evolve into a playful and deep friendship, as Tripp finds in Creech the companion he never knew he needed, and Creech finds a protector.

Meredith, initially terrified by Creech's appearance, gradually comes to accept and even admire the creature after witnessing its gentle nature and its bond with Tripp. Their secret, however, is constantly under threat. Rick Burke, Terravex's head of security, is relentlessly hunting for the escaped creature. He understands the immense implications of its existence – not only the potential for public outcry and environmental lawsuits if Terravex's irresponsible drilling is exposed, but also the scientific and perhaps even military applications of the creatures' unique biology. Burke is willing to go to extreme lengths, including lethal force, to capture Creech and cover up Terravex's activities. As Tripp and Meredith try to keep Creech hidden, they engage in thrilling escapes and chases, utilizing Creech's incredible speed and agility within the monster truck. They also seek counsel from Mr. Weathers, Tripp's former boss at the junkyard, an eccentric but knowledgeable man who has long held unconventional beliefs about hidden life forms and the earth's secrets. Mr. Weathers, initially skeptical, becomes a crucial ally, providing insights into the creatures' potential origins and the dangers they face from Terravex.

The stakes escalate dramatically when Terravex finally corners Tripp and Creech. During one desperate escape, Tripp's estranged father, Wade, a sheriff's deputy, gets caught in the crossfire. Wade, who has been trying to reconnect with Tripp, slowly begins to realize the gravity of the situation and the truth behind Tripp's wild stories. He sees Creech with his own eyes and understands the danger his son and the creature are in. This shared peril forces a reconciliation between father and son, as Wade decides to protect them. The climax unfolds at the Terravex drilling site, where the other two captured creatures are being held in secure, inhumane facilities. Burke intends to kill all three creatures to eliminate any evidence of Terravex's wrongdoing. Tripp, Meredith, Wade, and Mr. Weathers launch a daring rescue mission. They use Tripp's Creech-powered monster truck to cause a diversion and break into the facility. A high-octane chase ensues, with Terravex security forces in pursuit.

In a thrilling final confrontation, Tripp and Creech manage to free the other two creatures, revealing them to be Creech's parents. The three creatures, now reunited, become a powerful force, working together to dismantle Terravex's operations and expose their environmental crimes. Reece Tenneson, witnessing the destruction and the undeniable proof of the creatures, begins to show a flicker of conscience, realizing the monstrous actions he has allowed Burke to commit. With the help of the reunited creatures, Tripp and his allies manage to seal off the underground cavern, creating a safe passage for the creatures to return to their natural habitat, protecting them from further human exploitation. The evidence of Terravex's illegal activities is brought to light, leading to the arrest of Rick Burke and the downfall of the corrupt corporate leadership. Tenneson is forced to face the consequences, albeit with a hint of redemption as he acknowledges his responsibility. The town, initially oblivious, comes to terms with the extraordinary events. Tripp's relationship with Wade is fully mended, built on mutual respect and shared experience. Tripp, no longer just a restless teenager, has found his purpose and a deeper connection to his community and family, forever changed by his friendship with the remarkable creature from beneath the earth.

Cast (Lead Roles):

• Lucas Till as Tripp Coley
• Jane Levy as Meredith
• Amy Ryan as Cindy Coley
• Rob Lowe as Reece Tenneson
• Danny Glover as Mr. Weathers
• Barry Pepper as Rick Burke
• Holt McCallany as Wade Coley

Crew:

• Director: Chris Wedge
• Story by: Derek Connolly, Matthew Robinson
• Screenplay by: Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger, J.D. Payne, Patrick McKay
• Producers: Mary Parent, Denis L. Stewart
• Music by: Dave Sardy
• Cinematography: Don Burgess
• Editor: Conrad Buff IV

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: January 13, 2017 (USA)
• Language: English
• Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Sci-Fi
• Running Time: 104 minutes
• Accolades: N/A