Eric Goode's 'Monsters of God' is a refreshing departure from his previous works, such as 'Tiger King' and 'Chimp Crazy'. While these earlier documentaries exploited their subjects and sensationalized their stories, 'Monsters of God' takes a more nuanced and sober approach to the topic of exotic animal trafficking. Goode, an animal rights activist and documentarian, has been steadily refining his formula, diminishing the sensationalism and focusing on substance. This shift is particularly evident in 'Monsters of God', where he explores the illegal reptile trade with a level of maturity and respect that was lacking in his earlier works.
What makes 'Monsters of God' stand out is its ability to present a relatable and human side to the issue. Goode introduces us to a wild and wacky guy who handles a giant king cobra, and we're encouraged to think that this is going to be a typical documentary about outsized figures and their irrational passions. However, Goode quickly shifts gears and delves into the illegal reptile trade, revealing the complex web of characters and motivations that drive this industry. Unlike in 'Tiger King' and 'Chimp Crazy', where the focus was on the rivalry-gone-bad between two outsized figures, 'Monsters of God' takes a more nuanced approach, exploring the industry from multiple perspectives and highlighting the psychological and cultural factors that drive people to engage in illegal animal trafficking.
One of the most striking aspects of 'Monsters of God' is its focus on the people who actually own and care for the reptiles. Unlike in 'Tiger King' and 'Chimp Crazy', where the animals were often introduced in beautifully photographed glamour close-ups, 'Monsters of God' focuses on the human characters and their motivations. Goode talks to most of the people you'd want him to talk to, and he gets candid responses out of most of them. This approach allows us to see the human side of the issue and understand the complex motivations that drive people to engage in illegal animal trafficking.
However, 'Monsters of God' is not without its flaws. The series is too long and wildly repetitive, and Goode plays the 'Will the filmmaker get an interview with this notoriously secretive or evasive trafficker? YES HE WILL!' game way too many times. Despite these flaws, 'Monsters of God' is a significant step forward for Goode and a refreshing departure from his earlier works. It's a documentary that takes a nuanced and sober approach to a complex issue, and it's a welcome change of pace in the world of documentary filmmaking.
In my opinion, 'Monsters of God' is a testament to Goode's growth as a filmmaker and his commitment to telling stories that are both entertaining and thought-provoking. It's a documentary that raises important questions about the ownership and trafficking of exotic animals, and it's a call to action for us to think more critically about the complex motivations that drive people to engage in illegal activities. Personally, I think that 'Monsters of God' is a significant step forward in the world of documentary filmmaking, and I look forward to seeing what Goode does next.
