On the Big Board |
| Position |
Staff |
In Brief |
| 12/21 |
Jason Lee |
Predictable but enjoyable, the theme of self-empowerment and self-discovery that runs through this film elevates it above recent underwhelming fare from DreamWorks like Kung Fu Panda. |
| 26/38 |
John Seal |
Inconsequential but very enjoyable animated comedy |
| 37/169 |
Max Braden |
The 3D technology is amazing and does add to already good cgi, but the characters were underdeveloped and underused. Plus I wanted more than five monsters. |
| 57/82 |
Kelly Metz |
I have become spoiled - Pixar is the standard I hold all animated movies to. Crappy plot, mediocre character development. |
In the world of animated film, it's basically down to a giant battle between Disney/Pixar and DreamWorks. Sure, Fox and Universal (and some other assorted smaller companies) make their attempts to take on this lucrative market, but ultimately, it's Disney/Pixar and DreamWorks that inspire the most faith and make the most consistent cash.
While we could debate whether DreamWorks or Disney/Pixar won 2008 (it comes down to Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar 2 versus WALL-E and Bolt), there's no doubt as to which studio will get out of the gate first in 2009. DreamWorks will release Monsters vs. Aliens in theaters first, and interestingly, its trailer bears a little bit of similarity to an earlier Pixar flick, Monsters, Inc.
The story begins when a young woman named Susan Murphy is having what is supposed to be the happiest day of her life - her wedding day. Instead, she is hit by a meteor containing some sort of space goo. This might not be a problem except for the fact that it causes her to grow to a height of 49 feet 11 inches tall. That's...well, it's a major height disparity between her and most of humanity.
Quickly, the military becomes involved in her situation and takes her away to a secret government compound. She is renamed Ginormica (much much nicer than Susan, really) and makes the acquaintance of a group of monsters who are housed there. These monsters include a genius named Dr. Cockroach (so named because of his insect head), The Missing Link (half fish, half ape, all macho), B.O.B. (a gelatinous blob with indestructible tendencies), and Insectosaurus, who, like his name might imply, is a giant grub.
It would certainly be misery to be confined because of one's monstrous nature, but it doesn't last for long. When the Earth is invaded by aliens, the government decides to unleash these secret monsters to fight this new, terrifying enemy.
Really, the only battle that could be better is Cavemen vs. Astronauts. Get on that, Pixar. (Kim Hollis/BOP)
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