Film Guide

Monsters Vs Aliens looked like it was going to be chock full of action packed laughs, all delivered in visually stunning 3D.  Unfortunately the trailer had most of the best bits.

The story is a basic one, with bits and pieces stolen from pop-culture; Aliens arrive in the shape of a ginormous, indestructible robot.  It of course lands in America, and the military might throws everything at it in a big, massive, fail.

Deep in a bunker, the President is ready to call in a nuclear holocaust to deal with the robot, but is stopped in the nick of time by a General who declares that he has the ultimate solution; monsters.

The monsters eventually deal with the robot, but then the real aliens arrive en-mass and the world looks certain doom in the face.

As a standard movie – rather than a 3D movie – Monsters Vs Aliens delivers enough laughs and action to keep most kids happy.  Parents will have a few chuckles, but this really is one for the kids.  The main characters are quirky enough to keep the movie interesting and give the plot something to play with, as well as delivering the old reliable message that we have to work as a team to overcome obstacles.

As far as a 3D movie goes, once you get past the opening scenes, it’s rather ho-hum.  In the end it’s more of a distraction than an experience, and probably not worth the premium price.

My 10-year-old daughter came away with sore eyes, but she enjoyed the characters and the story.  My 9-year-old daughter thought the movie was ok, loved the 3D effects, but had issues with the realism of being hit by a meteorite.

All in all, not bad for a family trip to the movies.

Reviewed by: Jonathan Read
Rating: TBC
Starring: Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Reese Witherspoon, Kiefer Sutherland, Rainn Wilson, Stephen Colbert
Directed by: Rob Letterman, Conrad Vernon