Monsters vs. Aliens Review

Dreamworks presents Monsters vs. Aliens, and they truly hit the spot with this one. Kids and adults alike were enjoying this at the 3D IMAX presentation I was invited to. Prior to the start of the movie there was a kids’ contest for the best movie-related costume, which was great in and of itself.

To begin the 3D experience we are face to face with a scientist (probably a lab rat) who has one of those annoying paddles with the bouncing ball which comes directly into the audience, causing moviegoers to instinctively sit back in their seats. This is a throwback to the old-school 3D that most folks know about. This was actually my second time experiencing 3D; the first was not long ago at Coraline. The 3D experience was excellent. Coupled with IMAX – hard to beat.

The story was pretty crazy, but it is a Monsters vs. Aliens movie, after all. When a meteorite from outer space hits one Susan Murphy (voiced by Reese Witherspoon) and turns her into a giant woman, she is taken to a secret government compound where she meets the ragtag team of monsters: The Missing Link (Will Arnett), Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D., (Hugh Laurie), and of course everyone’s favorite, B.O.B. (Seth Rogen). The source of Susan’s tremendous growth lies in the meteorite, which another being has its eyes on. Gallaxhar (voiced by Rainn Wilson) wants nothing more than this special material, and comes to earth to get it no matter what stands in his way. Under the guidance of General W.R. Monger (Kiefer Sutherland), on a desperate order from the President of the United States (Stephen Colbert), the ragtag crew of monsters is called into action to hit Gallaxhar where it counts and save the world from destruction!

As we have all come to know, most Dreamworks animated films are spectacular in the visual department. This movie is no different. The visuals and attention to detail was phenomenal. From the space scenes to the hair on Dr Cockroach’s chin, it was well done. It’s no wonder these films take so long to make.

The storyline was solid, the laughs were many, but I wondered if it was for kids. I am not one for kids being in any movie that could be over their heads with humor or content, but a lot of the things I laughed at, the hundreds of kids around me didn’t. Was it out of their league? Is my humor now becoming more like my grandfather’s….

Overall, Dreamworks accomplished what they set out to do. Entertain us by providing a visually stimulating environment with laughs aplenty. Families, don’t worry about your kids being scared by this movie, but it may feel a little long for them even though it only weighs in at around 90 minutes.

If you get the chance to see it in 3D and IMAX do NOT miss it! The combination of audio and video on IMAX was fabulous.

Great film, great voice acting by all, and pretty damn funny.

Rating: ★★★½☆ 

Monsters vs. Aliens

A brand new featurette from DreamWorks for their upcoming animated Monsters vs. Aliens has been released. The video is a behind the scenes look at some of the monsters along with how they go about making a gorgeous animated feature like this.

Check out the 5 minutes of Monster goodness below. Don’t forget to tell us what you think.

Susan Murphy aka Ginormica (Reese Witherspoon), is a modern-day California girl who has the bad luck to be hit by a meteor on her wedding day and grows to be 49 feet, 11½ inches tall. Ginormica is taken to a secret government compound where she meets a ragtag group of monsters also rounded up over the years. As a last resort, under the guidance of General W.R. Monger (Kiefer Sutherland), on a desperate order from The President, the motley crew of Monsters is called into action to combat the aliens and save the world from imminent destruction!

Check out the Monsters vs. Aliens: Meet the Monsters featurette below.

Aside from Reese Witherspoon and Sutherland, other actors joining the film include Hugh Laurie (Dr. Cockroach, PhD), Seth Rogen (the jellylike B.O.B.), Will Arnett (the half-ape, half-fish – Missing Link), Stephen Colbert (the president), and finally, Rainn Wilson (the evil alien Gallaxhar).

The animated film is directed by Rob Letterman and Conrad Vernon, of Shark tale and Shrek 2 respectively.

Monsters vs. Aliens will hit the theaters on March 27, 2009.