Monsters vs Aliens (2009)

Directors:

Rob Letterman
Conrad Vernon

Writers:

Maya Forbes (screenplay) &
Wallace Wolodarsky (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

27 March 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Action | Family | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Oooze gonna save us?

Plot:

When a meteorite from outer space hits a young woman and turns her into a giant monster, she is taken to a secret government compound where she meets a ragtag group of monsters also rounded up over the years.

Plot Keywords:

Monster | Giant | Alien | President | Destruction

Cast

Reese Witherspoon	...	Susan Murphy / Ginormica (voice)
Seth Rogen	...	B.O.B. (voice)
Hugh Laurie	...	Dr. Cockroach Ph.D. (voice)
Will Arnett	...	The Missing Link (voice)
Kiefer Sutherland	...	General W.R. Monger (voice)
Rainn Wilson	...	Gallaxhar (voice)
Stephen Colbert	...	President Hathaway (voice)
Paul Rudd	...	Derek Dietl (voice)
Julie White	...	Wendy Murphy (voice)
Jeffrey Tambor	...	Carl Murphy (voice)
Amy Poehler	...	Computer (voice)
Ed Helms	...	News Reporter (voice)
Renée Zellweger	...	Katie (voice)
John Krasinski	...	Cuthbert (voice)
Sean Bishop	...	Private Bullhorn / Helicopter Pilot / Advisor Ortega (voice)

Also Known As:

Monsters vs Aliens: A Monstrous IMAX 3D Experience (USA) (IMAX version)

MPAA:

Rated PG for sci-fi action, some crude humor and mild language.

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.44 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Czech Republic:U | USA:PG (certificate #45124) | Ireland:PG | Australia:PG | UK:PG | South Korea:All | Finland:K-7 | Norway:7 | Philippines:G (MTRCB) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Portugal:M/6 (original version) | Portugal:M/6 (dubbed version) | Argentina:Atp | Sweden:7 | Germany:6 | Hong Kong:I | Belgium:KT | Mexico:AA | Peru:PT | Brazil:Livre | Singapore:PG | New Zealand:PG | Iceland:L | Japan:G | Taiwan:GP | Netherlands:6

Company:

DreamWorks Animation

Trivia:

In the scene where Gallxhar is spreading his message around the world, a clip from Madagascar (2005) can be seen playing in the background on a screen in Times Square.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: When Gallaxhar's computer is showing the location of the earth, it shows the Milky Way, and zooms near the center, actually, the solar system is a lot further from the center, nearing the edge.

Quotes:

B.O.B.: You're doing great!
Susan Murphy: I'm doing everything!

Movie Connections:

References The Blob (1958)

Soundtrack:

Reminiscing

A bit stunted but undeniably fun

If there is one movie this year that you would expect bar none to be the most fun this year, then that movie would have to be Monsters Vs. Aliens. Why? An irresistible premise, a massive ensemble comedic cast and boasting three whole dimensions, the latest dreamworks animation kid flick has everything going for it, and yet ultimately the whole endeavor feels strangely stunted; the story seems stunted, the action sequences seem stunted and many of the character arcs seem stunted. Not that much of the above will matter to kids, nor to the adults who go with them, nor did it matter much to me but there are simply so many better films out there (*cough Pixar*) that the bar has been permanently raised to such heights that even mammoth monsters or alien technology cannot reach. Ultimatelty the success of the film lies with the voice cast which includes Reese Witherspoon as Susan (later forcefully renamed Ginormica) Seth Rogen as the blathering B.O.B., House's Hugh laurie as Dr. Coachroach, Will Arnett as The Missing Link, Kiefer Sutherland as the steely General W.R. Monger, Rainn Wilson as the evil alien Gallaxhar and finally Stephen Colbert as the dimwitted President of the U.S. While cute and likable Witherspoon doesn't have quite enough pizazz to pull off voice work and the show is mostly stolen by Rogen, Arnett and Laurie. There is scattered genius throughout Monsters vs Aliens, in the satire of monster movies and alien invasion scenarios and simply with some of the hilarious writing and impeccable delivery. Alas it ultimately feels like the little brother of The Incredibles; lacking the full punch, consistently snappy screenplay and pulse-pounding action that will literally thrill young and old; here young an old will only be amused. The plot is simple and the story progresses at a nice pace, beginning with Susan being struck by a meteorite (that coincidently is sought by Gallaxhar for devious purposes) that causes her to grow to enormous size. Quarantined by the government she is imprisoned with the other aforementioned misfits until general Monger comes up with a proposal; prevent the alien invasion and earn their freedom. Unlike most animated films where a sequel almost always feels forced and is always more disappointing then the first, I actually believe the contrary here. Now that the set-up is complete and the lovable monster team is assembled they can one-up themselves with a full-throttle monster/alien brawl. The series has potential, that much is certain, and the right balance of kid friendly and adult amusing antics are present. All Dreamworks need to do is give the source material that spark that made their other efforts like Shrek and Kung Fu Panda irresistible and ultimately rewarding.