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Monsters Looks Great, Lacks Oomph

Dreamworks' 3-D stunner stuck with one-dimensional storyline

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 27, 2009 8:21 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Monsters Vs. Aliens looks amazing on screen, but grownups may find the thin jokes and the storyline of Dreamworks' animated spoof of '50s flicks a little grating, say critics.

  • James Rocchi, Redbox: The movie "has amazing 3D, solid gags, wacky concepts and great animation; I just wish that at some point along the way someone had been as passionate about the story as they were about the spectacle."

  •  Peter Travers, Rolling Stone: It doesn't measure up to Wall-E, but it's still an "animated funhouse that delivers on its title and ups its scary-comic impact if you see it in 3-D."
  • Todd McCarthy, Variety: "The dust-up involving one-of-a-kind mutants and space invaders boasts sufficent jokes and eye-popping action," but "that extra inspiration needed to knock it out of the park is noticably missing."

Ginormica, voiced by Reese Witherspoon, powers through the atmosphere in a scene from DreamWorks Animation's 3D film, Monsters vs. Aliens.
Ginormica, voiced by Reese Witherspoon, powers through the atmosphere in a scene from DreamWorks Animation's 3D film, "Monsters vs. Aliens."   (AP Photo/ DreamWorks Animation LLC)
Dr. Cockroach, voiced by Hugh Laurie, and B.O.B., voiced by Seth Rogen, in a scene from DreamWorks Animation's Monsters vs. Aliens.
Dr. Cockroach, voiced by Hugh Laurie, and B.O.B., voiced by Seth Rogen, in a scene from DreamWorks Animation's "Monsters vs. Aliens."   (AP Photo/ DreamWorks Animation LLC)
Ginormica, voiced by Reese Witherspoon, powers through the atmosphere in a scene from DreamWorks Animation's Monsters vs. Aliens.
Ginormica, voiced by Reese Witherspoon, powers through the atmosphere in a scene from DreamWorks Animation's "Monsters vs. Aliens."   (AP Photo/ DreamWorks Animation LLC)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
robertmcguire
Feb 21, 2010 3:31 PM CST
Monsters vs. Aliens wasn't good. It can be funny at times but only in a way were kids can like it. It's also really weird. The thing I liked about the movie is how the news anchor is a really big suck up. I'd recommend this movie to anyone under the age of 9. If you don't like weird kid comedies don't see this movie. Overall I'd give this movie a E+.
Newser001
Apr 5, 2009 3:26 AM CDT
I read the link... and yes, there's substance in what he said...
Newser001
Apr 5, 2009 3:25 AM CDT
Substance is the issue here. I just saw Monsters Vs. Aliens with my 8 year old today in 2-D. The film lacked the luster of a decent plot (script) and characters (i.e., Shrek series, Monster's Inc., Incredibles)... It lacked the balance of adult / child hooks. But she enjoyed it immensely and that's all that really matters. Perhaps if we viewed it in 3-D it may have had more punch. In the lobby, there appears to be a plethora of 3-D movies on there way... oy. BTW, we saw Race to Witch Mountain today, as well. She preferred Monsters Vs. Aliens - I, neither.

How DreamWorks mastered 3-D
New York Times

 
animation • movie review • DreamWorks • Reese Witherspoon • movies • animated movie

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