MONSTER V/S ALIENS
HONEY I AMUSED THE KIDS
by Vishal Verma

A Paramount release of a DreamWorks Animation presentation. Produced by Lisa Stewart. Co-producers, Jill Hopper Desmarchelier, Latifa Ouaou. Directed by Rob Letterman, Conrad Vernon.

 

 
Voices:
Susan/Ginormica - Reese Witherspoon
B.O.B. - Seth Rogen
Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D. - Hugh Laurie
The Missing Link - Will Arnett
Gen. W.R. Monger - Kiefer Sutherland
Galaxhar - Rainn Wilson
Derek Dietl - Paul Rudd
The President - Stephen Colbert

Technical Analysis
Indian film industry is busy, some are trying to work out a solution for the ongoing squabble between the plex owners & producers who are fighting for 50:50 revenue sharing for every film. Some are trying to clear the backlog in this deadlock.

In the midst of this scenario, we also see someone like Paramount who is least bothered. Anyhow, there latest ‘Monsters vs Aliens’ is a relief & an engaging and realistic 3D experience. A large section of the film borrows cheerfully from Dr Strangelove, complete with an elaborate War Room, a Buck Turgidson-like general and a president who is never quite certain which button launches the nuclear weapons.

There are laughs here for all the family and, as an added bonus at selected cinemas; you can see it in eye-popping 3-D. The bright and lively computer-animated 3D comedy-adventure Monsters Vs. Aliens gives the masters of animation at Pixar a run for their box office riches.

Monsters Vs. Aliens keeps things moving for the kids even as it spins reels of classic movie references into the action and fun. A homage to classic monster and sci-fi movies, the film’s references include The Fly, The Blob and Creature from the Black Lagoon. And it’s probably no coincidence that Monsters Vs. Aliens’ huge alien spaceship resembles cartoon character Bullwinkle’s head.

In classic Disney style, the story also plunges its principal character into deep despair before things take a turn for the better. Reese Witherspoon heads the unusually strong voice cast as Susan Murphy, a young woman who’s about to marry the man of her dreams.

Even without her face on the screen, Oscar-winner Witherspoon gives an A-list, sometimes poignant performance as Susan, a young woman who believes she’s lost everything. Witherspoon’s co-stars step up to the plate, too. Seth Rogen provides much of the film’s comic relief as B.O.B., the film’s indestructible, profoundly dumb but well-meaning blob. It’s a classic Rogen performance, as recognizable as any of his live-action comedies. Rainn Wilson is the perfect voice for Galaxhar, a four-eyed, reptilian villain from space.

On the flipside, The brains behind the new picture, Rob Letterman (writer-director of "Shark Tale") and Conrad Vernon (director of "Shrek 2"), could have minted some fresh creatures for their battle of the titans, but instead they have drawn on some legendary sci-fi critters of the '50s to step into the breach and battle an enemy against which conventional armed forces haven't got a chance.

Setup is fine, as is the sheer spectacle of the outsized combatants stomping through San Francisco on their way to a showdown at the Golden Gate Bridge as thousands flee is fantastic. All said & done, "Monsters vs. Aliens" is a film of chuckles, smiles and light amusement, recommended to be watched in 3D. The movie gets 3 out of five. One for fun, one for the animation & one for the voice.

The Story
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 dubbed "Ginormica," Susan is introduced to other scientific oddities, including the amphibious Missing Link (Will Arnett), the dim blob B.O.B. (Seth Rogen), and the brilliant, bug-headed Dr. Cockroach (Hugh Laurie). These "monsters" are released from captivity when a massive alien robot sent by the scheming Gallaxhar (Rainn Wilson) appears in San Francisco and clearly does not come in peace. With little time to adjust to her new stature, Susan must learn to work with her strange allies to avoid an all-out extraterrestrial invasion.

Business Analysis
The $175 million budget MONSTERS VS. ALIENS have so far grossed $236,886,998 worldwide. Conveying an easy-going sense of humor that will delight kids and amuse adults, its India release will make its account swell as the fun family fare is sure to leave everyone thoroughly entertained.

Other Credits
Screenplay, Maya Forbes, Wally Wolodarsky, Letterman, Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger; story, Letterman, Vernon. (Deluxe color, widescreen, 3-D); editors, Joyce Arrastia, Eric Dapkewicz; music, Henry Jackman; production designer, David James; art directors, Scott Wills, Michael Isaak; visual effects supervisor, Ken Bielenberg; head of character animation, David Burgess; head of layout, Damon O'Beirne; sound designer (Dolby Digital/DTS/SDDS), Erik Aadahl; sound editor, Ethan van der Ryn. Media Consultant: Percept Profile (A Division of Percept Limited). Reviewed at PVR, Phoniex Mills, Mumbai on Wed 15, April, 2009. Running time: 1 hrs. 34 min.

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