The latest cartoon from DreamWorks isn’t a classic, but it makes the grade for Easter viewing.
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04/09/09
Monsters vs. Aliens (2009)
72
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:200
Fresh:144
Rotten:56
Average Rating:6.4/10
Consensus: Though it doesn't approach the depth of the best animated films, Monsters Vs. Aliens has enough humor and special effects to entertain moviegoers of all ages.
Theatrical Release:03-04-2009
Synopsis: When a radioactive meteor hurtles into Susan Murphy (voiced by Reese Witherspoon) on her wedding day, she is transformed into a towering, platinum-haired giant. Taken away by the government and... [More]
Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Seth Rogen
Director: Conrad Vernon, Rob Letterman
Reviews for Monsters vs. Aliens
Monsters vs. Aliens targets smart-ass kids and is overly referential, but provides decent family entertainment.
04/09/09
The voice casting is superb, with Hugh Laurie and Seth Rogen the standouts along with Witherspoon. There's also plenty of amazing action. The epic battle over the Golden Gate bridge is as exciting as any top live-action movie.
04/07/09
Monsters vs Aliens is skilfully animated and spasmodically funny, but you get the impression the film’s seven (!) writers ran out of ideas two-thirds of the way through.
04/03/09
Top CriticA comprehensively entertaining package. If there's a lack of originality, the film is bolstered by the sheer verve of the animation and effects.
04/03/09
Top CriticEngagingly nerdy movie in-jokes are clearly a step in the right direction for DreamWorks after the rather crass and bombastic approach of the Shrek movies.
04/03/09
Top CriticIt's all very good value, although I have a vague feeling that a gallery of freaky sci-fi creatures, as in Monsters Inc, may not engage the young audience's sympathies as much as humanoids. Great fun, anyway.
04/03/09
Top CriticThe movie never grows a heart, which doesn't stop it trying to tattoo one onto its chest. By the whizz-bang climax inside the alien mothership, I was fidgeting like a four-year-old at Cosi fan tutte.
04/03/09
Top CriticHeart and soul are sacrificed for sequences of loud characters pinballing across the screen in search of an easy laugh. The whole endeavour is an unsubtle, in your face CG-animated assault from DreamWorks.
04/03/09
Despite being second out of the 3D traps after Bolt, their first special-specs-required outing is at least as eye-catching as Pixar’s Oscar-nominated pacesetter. Occasionally, it’s even better.
04/03/09
DreamWorks Animation tries something new, but we prefer its talking-animal comedies Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda.
04/03/09
A snappy script and some neat 3D make for an above-average romp with plenty of in-jokes for cineastes and fan-boys alike.
04/03/09
This is probably THE family film of the year so far and it’s one that has enough grown up (and by that I don’t mean rude) gags to ensure that adults enjoy this too. The script is razor sharp and the voice cast is spot one.
04/03/09
They're outweighed by moments of real, albeit surreal, charm - like when gelatinous BOB chats up a dish of pineapple jelly at a pool party - that would melt the heart of even a sentient blob of gloop.
04/03/09
The voice cast has been well chosen, with everyone delivering their lines with just the right mix of satire and seriousness. It all makes for a horrifyingly humorous hour-and-a-half.
04/03/09
Besides a big heart, it has outstanding 3-D action sequences
04/03/09
Top CriticThis Easter digimation romp is big on action and slapstick, small on charm, tiny on wit and endurability; unless you are nine, when anything goes.
04/03/09
Aficianadoes of 1950s monster movies should have a ball spotting all the references. All anyone else requires is a taste for good fun.
04/03/09
Fast-moving and sweet-natured with some healthy messages about tolerance and female empowerment, Monsters Vs Aliens is a lot of fun.
04/03/09
This lively story about a young girl who gets hit by a meteor on her wedding day that turns her into a giant is certainly wacky enough.
04/03/09
Latest News for Monsters vs. Aliens
October 29, 2009:
DreamWorks Decides Against Monsters vs. Aliens Sequel 
Ending several weeks of speculation, DreamWorks has announced it won't be making a sequel to "Monsters vs. Aliens," despite a worldwide gross in excess of $380 million. More...
September 28, 2009:
RT on DVD: Monsters vs. Aliens, a Wizard, and Ghostbusters
This week on home video, we've got a bunch of '09 films hitting DVD shelves (Monsters vs. Aliens, Away We Go, The Brothers Bloom, and more), as well as a couple of fantasy... More...
July 30, 2009:
DreamWorks Mulls Monsters vs. Aliens Sequel
When is a hit not enough of a hit to justify a sequel? Perhaps when that hit is "Monsters vs. Aliens." More...
March 30, 2009:
Blushing bride-turned-glowing giant saves the planet in 3-D animated adventure.
More...
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