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Monsters vs Aliens
This review is a week late - we saw Monsters vs Aliens last Tuesday but I've been so busy, plus at Easter Venture all weekend that I've not had time to put fingers to keyboard for this until now.
Monsters vs Aliens is Dreamworks' latest CGI animation movie aimed at kids - and their first to be specifically shot for 3D. We saw it in 2D, and apart from a few gratuitous "shoot out of the screen" moments near the beginning of the film, it didn't grate too much not having the 3D effect.
This film's plot is summed up by its title (kind of like Snakes on a Plane). It's a simple, dumb, storyline, but that's perfectly fine because the movie doesn't pretend to be anything more than simple and fun. Our heroes are monsters kept in captivity by the US government - Bob, a blob of no brain; Dr Cockroach, a half-insect mad scientist; the Missing Link, a fish-monkey who thinks he's pretty tough; Insectosaurus, a 200-foot tall caterpillar, and their latest acquisition, Susan, an ordinary surburban woman who's been accidentally grown 50-feet tall, and renamed Ginormica by the monster's keeper, General W.R. Monger. These five are called upon to fight an alien robot (and later alien invasion)... and that's exactly what they do.
There's not a huge amount of depth the story or characters but there doesn't need to be. The important thing is that the movie is fun and funny - there are some great one liners and situational jokes, the humour works for both children and adults, and in the end the good guys win (sorry if that spoiled it!).
Nothing exceptional stands out here, but it's a good way to kill a few hours. I must make mention of the President, played by Stephen Colbert. Because after all, wouldn't you want Stephen Colbert as president?
7/10
Monsters vs Aliens
This review is a week late - we saw Monsters vs Aliens last Tuesday but I've been so busy, plus at Easter Venture all weekend that I've not had time to put fingers to keyboard for this until now.
Monsters vs Aliens is Dreamworks' latest CGI animation movie aimed at kids - and their first to be specifically shot for 3D. We saw it in 2D, and apart from a few gratuitous "shoot out of the screen" moments near the beginning of the film, it didn't grate too much not having the 3D effect.
This film's plot is summed up by its title (kind of like Snakes on a Plane). It's a simple, dumb, storyline, but that's perfectly fine because the movie doesn't pretend to be anything more than simple and fun. Our heroes are monsters kept in captivity by the US government - Bob, a blob of no brain; Dr Cockroach, a half-insect mad scientist; the Missing Link, a fish-monkey who thinks he's pretty tough; Insectosaurus, a 200-foot tall caterpillar, and their latest acquisition, Susan, an ordinary surburban woman who's been accidentally grown 50-feet tall, and renamed Ginormica by the monster's keeper, General W.R. Monger. These five are called upon to fight an alien robot (and later alien invasion)... and that's exactly what they do.
There's not a huge amount of depth the story or characters but there doesn't need to be. The important thing is that the movie is fun and funny - there are some great one liners and situational jokes, the humour works for both children and adults, and in the end the good guys win (sorry if that spoiled it!).
Nothing exceptional stands out here, but it's a good way to kill a few hours. I must make mention of the President, played by Stephen Colbert. Because after all, wouldn't you want Stephen Colbert as president?
7/10