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"Monsters vs. Aliens" is what critics call "close, but no cigar." The first animated film produced in 3-D is visually stunning and sporadically funny, but ends up being more of a mindless action movie with style over substance.
Reese Witherspoon is the voice of Susan Murphy, a lovely young lady from Modesto, Calif., who is hit by a meteorite just minutes before her wedding. To the horror of her family and guests (not to mention the groom) she grows 50 feet. The Army immediately ushers her away to a top secret facility where it has been keeping monsters under observation since the 1950s. Susan and her fellow monsters are called into action when the evil Gallaxhar (voice of Rainn Wilson) threatens Earth.
DreamWorks Animation pulled out all the stops with this one. There has been a massive marketing blitz for months, including a 3-D ad during the Super Bowl. They even hired famed husband-and-wife comedy team Wallace Wolodarsky and Maya Forbes to punch up the screenplay.
The monsters are the kind you’d find in a cheesy ’50s sci-fi movie, which the film milks for maximum effect. About halfway through, "Monsters vs. Aliens" starts resembling a modern day action flick and becomes less and less funny. The filmgoer is bombarded with numerous effects and mind-numbing action sequences. Even the 3-D, which is certainly done well, gets a little old.
It appears Mr. Katzenberg and the good people at DreamWorks Animation were so concerned about delivering an event they forgot how to make a movie.
"Monsters vs. Aliens" will make tons of money and probably entertain kids, but it takes more than a few good jokes and eye-popping visuals to make a good film.
Monsters vs. Aliens
PG
Two reels out of four
In area theaters tomorrow
Note: Not all theaters are showing the 3-D version, so check the listings.
Recommended Rental
Slumdog Millionaire
R
Available Tuesday
If you still haven’t seen this Best Picture Oscar winner, as well as seven other Academy Awards, now’s your chance. British director Danny Boyle adapted Vikas Swarup’s obscure novel "Q&A;" into an exhilarating, modern fable.
Dev Patel plays Jamal K. Malik, who does so well on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" the police thinks he’s cheating. In flashbacks, we witness the incredible events that led to this deceptively shy young man gaining his wealth of knowledge.
