Monsters Vs. Aliens

For as many times as I've watched any movie put out by Dreamworks animation studios half of the time it seems that all the producers really want to do is anger disney and steal their ideas. Hence Finding Nemo was a big smash and we were given Shark Tale from Dreamworks because if people will grab Ellen as a fish they've got to like Will Smith as one. Now I've already done my rant about why Pixar is almost always superior and then along came this movie featuring, as per usual with Dreamworks, an all star voice cast but a premise that I found interesting because of the references made to old fifties horror films.

So what's the story this time. Well Susan (Reese Witherspoon), is a girl about to get married when she gets hit by an asteroid and becomes ginormous and strong. Being deemed a monster she gets taken to a facility run by Jack Bauer (ok it's not Jack Bauer but it's voice by Kiefer Sutherland in an excellent southern fighting voice), and meets Dr. Cockroach (Hugh Laurie in the closest thing to his real voice since he's english and does not speak like House in real life), B.O.B. (Seth Rogen), and the Missing Link (Will Arnett). Though Susan isn't thrilled with her circumstances her and her friends spring into action when an alien craft run by Dwight from the office (he's the alien) attempts to crush the president (Stephen Colbert) and the military finds itself useless. Adventure and lessons about why being different and being yourself can be cool ensue not to mention the destruction of the Golden Gate bridge and an ending that leaves room for a sequel.

Before I get into my main problem with kids movies nowadays I shall highlight the things that I enjoyed about this movie. First things first. Excellent voice cast. The one thing this movie got right is that it got people who are naturally funny for their voice roles. Seth Rogen's B.O.B. is given most of the best lines but Kiefer Sutherland and Stephen Colbert are scene stealers and it's great to hear Will Arnett use his deep voice from 30 Rock for the greater good once more. Even small roles like Susan's jerk fiance are given to quality voice people like Paul Rudd and the voice of the alien's computer is Amy Poehler. Truthfully most of these actors are capable of being so over the top that they were meant for animated movies.

One thing that I also enjoyed is that this movie manages to be goofy enough for kids and has enough in references to appeal to adults. A great example is when President Colbert attempts to communicate with the alien craft and the exercise soon becomes a game of name that movie or name that tune from that movie. Also there's not a reliance on slapstick for the humor and there are a number of creative bits and running gags. The movie while not possessing the wow quality of some Pixar movies looks great and features some very nice explosions.

Now we get to the bread and butter of my problem with animated movies nowadays. In general I will say that I liked the story of this movie and enjoyed watching Susan fight her new figure and then accept it and grow from her experiences. In fact this movies gives us two lessons. Monsters might not be so bad and perhaps even nice and you should always have faith in yourself. A valuable set of lessons....that I learned in Shrek.....Shrek 2.....Shrek 3......Kung Fu Panda.....and nearly every animated kids movie out nowadays. I understand that movies are setting examples for kids but not every single one has to reassure them that they're special and shouldn't care what other people think. That kind of attitude is what gives you bratty kids. Please note that I have done no scientific research on this and I am basing this primarily on my experiences watching parents buying this movie and ones like it for their bratty children.

I miss the days when it was really simple adventures good guys versus bad guys and no one had to discover themselves along the way. Either that or when the material was based off a classic story that everyone had at the very least heard of previously. The Lion King was based off of Hamlet!!!! Sometimes all you need is a story about someone who learns about the simple joys in life or finds friends.

The one thing I did like about this movie is that it doesn't through in an sort of obligatory love story. It's a movie about a bunch of misfit friends trying to save the world. Granted they spend too much time with Reese Witherspoon but they also probably paid her the most. I think she recently overtook Cameron Diaz for the highest paid actress recently. So if you're a fan of animated movies give this one a look or if you're just dying for the same old thing all over again you can sit and wait for Shrek 4......*sigh*