I posted an update in my Facebook profile just before I took my three sons to see Monsters v. Aliens that I hoped that none of the characters in the movie had a paddle ball (which is the cliche’ when it comes to 3D movies, going all the way back to the House of Wax). So, of course, the first character we see on screen is… playing with a paddle ball. Of course.
Monsters v. Aliens is by no means a great movie – it’s the cinematic equivalent of the popcorn you consume while watching such a flick: filling, but not very nourishing or satisfying. However, it is a very good movie, and is a highly entertaining kids flick – and some days, that’s enough.
I was impressed with much of the visuals and character work in the movie – the main character of Susan is great, and I chuckled at jokes about her “monster name” considering that my wife shares said name. Will Arnett as the Missing Link (AKA The Creature from the Black Lagoon) is wonderful, but again, I’ve been a fan of Arnett’ since Arrested Development. Hugh Laurie as Vincent Pri… err, I mean Dr. Cockroach, was exquisite. The sequence on the San Francisco Bridge – WOW. Can I have a full-bore CGI monster movie, in the vein of the great Toho Godzilla films, soon? PLEASE?
The plot… well, it’s kinda meh. It’s about alien energy, absorbed by Susan, which becomes the macguffin the bad guy wants, and… well, ya don’t need much plot here, so the fact that it’s kinda on the thin side doesn’t matter. It’s a fun movie, and I’m glad I went. And you HAVE to see it in 3D – it’s incredible.
I still kinda feel for the guys from Dreamworks Animation, though… you watch this movie just after seeing a trailer for Pixar’s Up and you realize, well, some teams are the New York Yankees and some… are the Montreal Expos.
You have to admire them for trying, though.