monsters vs alliens
Rated: PG for sci-fi action, some crude humor and mild language
Runtime: 1 min 34 secs
Genre: Action/Adventure
Theatrical Release:Mar 27, 2009 Wide
Box Office: $140,203,799
Review :
DreamWorks Animation has steadily been trying to chip away at the animation throne held by Pixar Animation Studios for years.
To their credit, they’ve had more successes (Kung Fu Panda and the Shrek series being the most notable) than failures (think Bee Movie). The latest weapon in their arsenal for animated supremacy comes in the form of Monsters vs Aliens.
And why shouldn’t they be excited about its’ ability to take a few more chunks from the throne? They’ve crammed in:
* Top notch Hollywood voice talent
* Use of the latest and greatest 3D technology (something called Tru3D)
* An homage to yesteryears B-movies — the 50' Woman, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, the Blob, the Fly and Mothra
Yet, Monsters vs. Aliens is missing something.
It’s certainly not lacking in the animation department. The artists deserve a fine pat on the back for their eye to the fine details. The Golden Gate Bridge is perfectly modeled and the physics employed as it gets broken apart is damn near as real as it can get. Likewise, the hair of Ginormica (voiced by Reese Witherspoon) and the fur of Insectosaurus is very lifelike. And while I’m not exactly a big fan of the 3D gimmick, I must say, it too was very captivating — this ain’t the same 3D crap Jaws 3-D tossed your way 25 years ago.
What I suspect is absent, is the charm. Monsters vs. Aliens is curiously devoid of any of it. The first quarter of the movie is spent building an uninteresting backstory about Susan Murphy (Witherspoon) and her conceited weatherman fiancé Derek Dietl (voiced by Paul Rudd). The next quarter isn’t that much better as Susan (now Ginormica) finds herself pining away for her old life in a super secret prison locked tightly away with the other monsters — B.O.B. (voiced by Seth Rogen), Dr. Cockroach (voiced by Hugh Laurie), The Missing Link (voiced by Will Arnett) and Insectosaurus (not voiced by anyone).
When Gallaxhar (voiced by Rainn Wilson) comes to Earth to retrieve the element Quantonium and gain ultimate power, the movie picks up a head of steam. Lots of eye candy action ensues with comic interludes by B.O.B., General W.R. Monger (voiced by Kiefer Sutherland) and President Hathaway (voiced by Stephen Colbert). Kids in the theater hooted and hollered as the giant insect shot sticky snot from it’s nose. Parents were heard snickering too at some of the double entradas littered about.
Then it all winds down and the film wraps itself up to fit neatly into an envelope — everyone learns something about themselves and they all go home.
Ultimately, Monsters vs. Aliens is a bit to formulaic in its approach and most of the characters it wants us to cheer for are lifeless caricatures. But hey, at least they’re rendered extremely well and the kids dragging you to see it won’t know any better (it’ll be our secret).
Synopsis:
When a radioactive meteor hurtles into Susan Murphy (voiced by Reese Witherspoon) on her wedding day, she is transformed into a towering, platinum-haired giant. Taken away by the government and... When a radioactive meteor hurtles into Susan Murphy (voiced by Reese Witherspoon) on her wedding day, she is transformed into a towering, platinum-haired giant. Taken away by the government and dubbed "Ginormica," Susan is introduced to other scientific oddities, including the amphibious Missing Link (Will Arnett), the dim blob B.O.B. (Seth Rogen), and the brilliant, bug-headed Dr. Cockroach (Hugh Laurie). These "monsters" are released from captivity when a massive alien robot sent by the scheming Gallaxhar (Rainn Wilson) appears in San Francisco and clearly does not come in peace. With little time to adjust to her new stature, Susan must learn to work with her strange allies to avoid an all-out extraterrestrial invasion. Co-directed by Rob Letterman (SHARK TALE) and Conrad Vernon (SHREK 2) for DreamWorks Studios, this enjoyable animated production riffs on 1950s sci-fi movies while also playfully referencing everything from DR. STRANGELOVE to CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND. The vocal talent, which also includes Stephen Colbert as a daft, keyboard-playing American president, is top-notch, adding plenty of personality to the super-sized visuals and eye-popping effects. Conveying an easy-going sense of humor that will delight kids and amuse adults, MONSTERS VS. ALIENS is fun family fare that is sure to leave everyone thoroughly entertained.
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Seth Rogen, Kiefer Sutherland, Rainn Wilson, Stephen Colbert, Paul Rudd
Director: Conrad Vernon, Rob Letterman
Screenwriter: Rob Letterman, Maya Forbes, Wally Wolodarsky, Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger
Story: Rob Letterman, Conrad Vernon
Producer: Lisa Stewart
Composer: Henry Jackman
Studio: DreamWorks Distribution LLC
And why shouldn’t they be excited about its’ ability to take a few more chunks from the throne? They’ve crammed in:
* Top notch Hollywood voice talent
* Use of the latest and greatest 3D technology (something called Tru3D)
* An homage to yesteryears B-movies — the 50' Woman, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, the Blob, the Fly and Mothra
Yet, Monsters vs. Aliens is missing something.
It’s certainly not lacking in the animation department. The artists deserve a fine pat on the back for their eye to the fine details. The Golden Gate Bridge is perfectly modeled and the physics employed as it gets broken apart is damn near as real as it can get. Likewise, the hair of Ginormica (voiced by Reese Witherspoon) and the fur of Insectosaurus is very lifelike. And while I’m not exactly a big fan of the 3D gimmick, I must say, it too was very captivating — this ain’t the same 3D crap Jaws 3-D tossed your way 25 years ago.
What I suspect is absent, is the charm. Monsters vs. Aliens is curiously devoid of any of it. The first quarter of the movie is spent building an uninteresting backstory about Susan Murphy (Witherspoon) and her conceited weatherman fiancé Derek Dietl (voiced by Paul Rudd). The next quarter isn’t that much better as Susan (now Ginormica) finds herself pining away for her old life in a super secret prison locked tightly away with the other monsters — B.O.B. (voiced by Seth Rogen), Dr. Cockroach (voiced by Hugh Laurie), The Missing Link (voiced by Will Arnett) and Insectosaurus (not voiced by anyone).
When Gallaxhar (voiced by Rainn Wilson) comes to Earth to retrieve the element Quantonium and gain ultimate power, the movie picks up a head of steam. Lots of eye candy action ensues with comic interludes by B.O.B., General W.R. Monger (voiced by Kiefer Sutherland) and President Hathaway (voiced by Stephen Colbert). Kids in the theater hooted and hollered as the giant insect shot sticky snot from it’s nose. Parents were heard snickering too at some of the double entradas littered about.
Then it all winds down and the film wraps itself up to fit neatly into an envelope — everyone learns something about themselves and they all go home.
Ultimately, Monsters vs. Aliens is a bit to formulaic in its approach and most of the characters it wants us to cheer for are lifeless caricatures. But hey, at least they’re rendered extremely well and the kids dragging you to see it won’t know any better (it’ll be our secret).
Synopsis:
When a radioactive meteor hurtles into Susan Murphy (voiced by Reese Witherspoon) on her wedding day, she is transformed into a towering, platinum-haired giant. Taken away by the government and... When a radioactive meteor hurtles into Susan Murphy (voiced by Reese Witherspoon) on her wedding day, she is transformed into a towering, platinum-haired giant. Taken away by the government and dubbed "Ginormica," Susan is introduced to other scientific oddities, including the amphibious Missing Link (Will Arnett), the dim blob B.O.B. (Seth Rogen), and the brilliant, bug-headed Dr. Cockroach (Hugh Laurie). These "monsters" are released from captivity when a massive alien robot sent by the scheming Gallaxhar (Rainn Wilson) appears in San Francisco and clearly does not come in peace. With little time to adjust to her new stature, Susan must learn to work with her strange allies to avoid an all-out extraterrestrial invasion. Co-directed by Rob Letterman (SHARK TALE) and Conrad Vernon (SHREK 2) for DreamWorks Studios, this enjoyable animated production riffs on 1950s sci-fi movies while also playfully referencing everything from DR. STRANGELOVE to CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND. The vocal talent, which also includes Stephen Colbert as a daft, keyboard-playing American president, is top-notch, adding plenty of personality to the super-sized visuals and eye-popping effects. Conveying an easy-going sense of humor that will delight kids and amuse adults, MONSTERS VS. ALIENS is fun family fare that is sure to leave everyone thoroughly entertained.
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Seth Rogen, Kiefer Sutherland, Rainn Wilson, Stephen Colbert, Paul Rudd
Director: Conrad Vernon, Rob Letterman
Screenwriter: Rob Letterman, Maya Forbes, Wally Wolodarsky, Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger
Story: Rob Letterman, Conrad Vernon
Producer: Lisa Stewart
Composer: Henry Jackman
Studio: DreamWorks Distribution LLC
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