Spring Break
REVIEW: 'Monsters vs. Aliens' is fun for the kids, good time for adults too
4 and a half out of 5 stars
Caitlin Mazzola
Issue date: 3/31/09 Section: Focus
"Monsters vs. Aliens" is an example of a great movie that does not have to be in 3D to impress an audience. The 3D aspect is just a clever ruse to keep the kids visually entertained while the humor flies over their heads. That humor, resembling a cross between Judd Apatow and Andrew Adamson (director of "Shrek") films, was emphasized by the vocal cast of Hollywood's funniest, including Seth Rogen as Bob the blob, Paul Rudd as Derek Dietl, Rainn Wilson as Gallaxhar the alien, and Stephen Colbert as the President. Reese Witherspoon debuts in her first animated film as the central monster, Susan, whose plight to come into her own is the focus of the film. Her endearing portrayal of the baffled bride-to-be-turned-super-strong-giant turned out to be a great animated role for Witherspoon to play.
The plot is simple as it is exactly what the title implies: a struggle between Earth's monsters and the galaxy's aliens - actually one alien in particular, Gallaxhar, who wants to capture Susan's powers. The giant beauty gained her superstrength and ability to grow large after she was hit with a meteorite. There are no real surprises and of course the ending is predictable - it is a film aimed at kids, after all. It's the script and the small details that make this film so funny. Some funny moments include Bob, the blue blob, trying to hit on a Jell-O mold which he then complains about saying that it gave him a fake number. The giant bug-monster with a constant blank expression and slobbering tongue, Insectosaurus, has to be lead by a giant light board flown around by a helicopter because it's too dumb to move on its own.
Like all Dreamworks or Disney/Pixar pictures, there is a message, heartwarming though expected, discovered by the end. Susan realizes that change can be good and can shed light on the mistakes of her past that she would have otherwise accepted.
The plot is simple as it is exactly what the title implies: a struggle between Earth's monsters and the galaxy's aliens - actually one alien in particular, Gallaxhar, who wants to capture Susan's powers. The giant beauty gained her superstrength and ability to grow large after she was hit with a meteorite. There are no real surprises and of course the ending is predictable - it is a film aimed at kids, after all. It's the script and the small details that make this film so funny. Some funny moments include Bob, the blue blob, trying to hit on a Jell-O mold which he then complains about saying that it gave him a fake number. The giant bug-monster with a constant blank expression and slobbering tongue, Insectosaurus, has to be lead by a giant light board flown around by a helicopter because it's too dumb to move on its own.
Like all Dreamworks or Disney/Pixar pictures, there is a message, heartwarming though expected, discovered by the end. Susan realizes that change can be good and can shed light on the mistakes of her past that she would have otherwise accepted.
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