Monsters Vs. Aliens
It's a public holiday in South Africa tomorrow, for our most important National Elections in 15 years (my party endorsement here). Needless to say I won't be around, blogging, so I'm putting up a few extra posts now to keep you guys, my readers, amused until Thursday. So, moving on...
The latest CGI-animated film from DreamWorks, Monsters Vs. Aliens is unfortunately a bit too much like the old B-grade science fiction films it takes much of its inspiration from. The film is a brisk, amusing way to pass 90 minutes, but ultimately it’s complete fluff, easy to forget and utterly unexceptional.
This is disappointing, especially since Monsters Vs. Aliens had one of the funniest trailers for an animated film in a good long while. Then again, the film’s relationship to its trailer may be part of the problem. Many of Monsters Vs. Aliens’ funniest moments have already been revealed to cinemagoers months in advance, spoiling multiple surprises. This said, Seth Rogan’s brainless blob of goo, the cleverly animated B.O.B. still steals the movie, consistently providing laugh out loud moments.
The plot of Monsters Vs. Aliens centres on a young woman, Susan (Reese Witherspoon), who is struck by a meteorite on her wedding day, and transformed into a super-strong, indestructible giant. Labelled a monster, she is captured by the military and confined with other similarly feared creatures in a secret government compound. When an evil alien overlord arrives to take over Earth, the American military turns to Susan and her friends to save humanity.
It’s a simple plot, and unfortunately this simplicity seems to apply to multiple areas of Monsters Vs. Aliens, which, on the whole, feels a bit too slick and superficial for its own good. Characters are barely developed, and even the film’s big message, which seems to centre on embracing your uniqueness, and never suppressing your dreams for others, seems more implied than heavily stressed. Then again, to some viewers this “lightness” in message may be a refreshing change to the alternative of having the usual clichés forced down your throat.
It’s just that when comparing Monsters Vs. Aliens to other DreamWorks Animation films, the movie sits more comfortably alongside the likes of Over the Hedge than, say, Kung Fu Panda. With its focus on action and laughs, the film is breezy and enjoyable. There’s just not much depth or soul present to emotionally engage the audience, or keep them thinking once they’ve walked out of the cinema. Even the villain is more goofy than threatening.
As for the utilisation of 3D, I’m sure it adds something to the film’s fun factor, enhancing the action scenes at least. Even watching Monsters Vs. Aliens in the traditional 2D format, the gimmicky 3D moments were easy enough to identify, and I can’t help but think Disney’s Bolt used the format far more subtly by comparison.
Monsters Vs. Aliens is fun, no question about it, but after watching it once that’s it. There really is no great reason to add this lightweight movie to your DVD collection.
The latest CGI-animated film from DreamWorks, Monsters Vs. Aliens is unfortunately a bit too much like the old B-grade science fiction films it takes much of its inspiration from. The film is a brisk, amusing way to pass 90 minutes, but ultimately it’s complete fluff, easy to forget and utterly unexceptional.
This is disappointing, especially since Monsters Vs. Aliens had one of the funniest trailers for an animated film in a good long while. Then again, the film’s relationship to its trailer may be part of the problem. Many of Monsters Vs. Aliens’ funniest moments have already been revealed to cinemagoers months in advance, spoiling multiple surprises. This said, Seth Rogan’s brainless blob of goo, the cleverly animated B.O.B. still steals the movie, consistently providing laugh out loud moments.
The plot of Monsters Vs. Aliens centres on a young woman, Susan (Reese Witherspoon), who is struck by a meteorite on her wedding day, and transformed into a super-strong, indestructible giant. Labelled a monster, she is captured by the military and confined with other similarly feared creatures in a secret government compound. When an evil alien overlord arrives to take over Earth, the American military turns to Susan and her friends to save humanity.
It’s a simple plot, and unfortunately this simplicity seems to apply to multiple areas of Monsters Vs. Aliens, which, on the whole, feels a bit too slick and superficial for its own good. Characters are barely developed, and even the film’s big message, which seems to centre on embracing your uniqueness, and never suppressing your dreams for others, seems more implied than heavily stressed. Then again, to some viewers this “lightness” in message may be a refreshing change to the alternative of having the usual clichés forced down your throat.
It’s just that when comparing Monsters Vs. Aliens to other DreamWorks Animation films, the movie sits more comfortably alongside the likes of Over the Hedge than, say, Kung Fu Panda. With its focus on action and laughs, the film is breezy and enjoyable. There’s just not much depth or soul present to emotionally engage the audience, or keep them thinking once they’ve walked out of the cinema. Even the villain is more goofy than threatening.
As for the utilisation of 3D, I’m sure it adds something to the film’s fun factor, enhancing the action scenes at least. Even watching Monsters Vs. Aliens in the traditional 2D format, the gimmicky 3D moments were easy enough to identify, and I can’t help but think Disney’s Bolt used the format far more subtly by comparison.
Monsters Vs. Aliens is fun, no question about it, but after watching it once that’s it. There really is no great reason to add this lightweight movie to your DVD collection.
Comments
Later that night, we watched Spiderwick Chronicles at home. It was like Seth Rogan voice-acting overload.
As for the American president in the film, I don't know what it was but he kind of made me tense. Maybe I just have this deep innate fear of morons in powerful decision making positions:) But yes, he was an excellent composite of all 3 of those prezs.