MONSTERS VS ALIENS - Paramount's Blu-ray of the DreamWorks 3-D animated hit is reviewed by John J. Puccio

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—> See Link to our Blu-ray Review (below)

Oooze gonna save us?
Alien Problem? Monster Solution.

When a meteorite from outer space hits a young woman and turns her into a giant monster, she is taken to a secret government compound where she meets a ragtag group of monsters also rounded up over the years. The monsters must step up and become heroes to rescue humanity. This Dreamworks Animation sci-fi adventure features a cast of celebrity voices, including Reese Witherspoon, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, and Seth Rogen.

"MONSTERS VS ALIENS has bells and whistles, superb technical sophistication and dazzling visual effects, sound, fury, and Reese Witherspoon."
—(Washington Post)

"This why-didn't-anyone-think-of-this-before dust-up involving one-of-a-kind mutants and space invaders boasts sufficient jokes and eye-popping action."
—Todd McCarthy (Variety)

"Directors Rob Letterman and Conrad Vernon have created a clever entertainment that with its onscreen battles and old movie references spans several generations of moviegoing."
—Kirk Honeycutt (Hollywood Reporter)

Monsters vs Aliens - on DVD & Blu-ray »
(now available - released September 29)

Both versions include new 3-D short film!

Paramount Home Entertainment's Monsters vs Aliens officially kicks off the fourth quarter after streeting recently on DVD and Blu-ray Disc (Sept 29).

The studio likely hopes to replicate its success with Iron Man, which led last year's fourth quarter title flurry at about the same time (on Sept 30).

Monsters vs Aliens, produced by DreamWorks Animation, is one of the year's biggest theatrical hits, grossing nearly $200 million in the U.S. But it is not at the elite level of Iron Man, which took in $318 million.

Both the Monsters vs Aliens DVD and Blu-ray versions include a brand new 3-D short, "B.O.B.s Big Break", starring the movie's memorable blob character.

At this time, Monsters vs Aliens will not be released in 3-D (see explanation). Many 3-D theatrical screenings of Monsters vs Aliens used advanced eye-popping imagery, which can't be viewed on most household's current non-3D-enabled TV sets.

Hollywood, CA. – The "laugh-out-loud funny" ("Access Hollywood") adventure featuring the "funniest animated action stars ever" (Westwood One) prepares to take over the planet, as DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.'s worldwide sensation MONSTERS VS ALIENS arrived on Earth on DVD and Blu-ray September 29, 2009. One of the highest-grossing films of the year, earning over $196 million at the domestic box office, "the year´s coolest comedy" ("Sixty Second Preview") delighted kids and parents alike with its uproarious story and unforgettable characters.

Now, for the first time ever, DreamWorks Animation has created a spectacular 3-D companion story to continue the excitement and fun of the theatrical film. The Ginormous Double DVD Pack and Blu-ray both feature the world premiere of B.O.B.'S BIG BREAK, an all-new 3-D adventure starring everyone's favorite gelatinous hero and featuring the voice talents of Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett and Kiefer Sutherland.

The Ginormous Double DVD Pack and Blu-ray each include four pair of 3-D glasses and have even more of what audiences loved with an all-new interactive game in 3-D, three all-new music videos, three never-before-seen deleted scenes, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film, filmmaker commentary and hours of activities, such as the Creature Feature Fun Factory and much, much more (see disc details further below). Additionally, the Blu-ray boasts an exclusive Animators' Corner and Trivia Track so viewers can learn everything they want to know about the characters and story. With something for the whole family to enjoy, the Double DVD Pack is the year's best entertainment value with an anticipated retail price under $25. The film also will be available on a single-disc DVD.

Monsters vs Aliens
When California girl Susan Murphy (Reese Witherspoon) is unwittingly clobbered by a meteor full of outer space gunk on her wedding day, she mysteriously grows to 49-feet-11-inches tall. The military jumps into action and Susan is captured and put into a secret government compound. There, she is renamed Ginormica and held along with a ragtag group of Monsters: the brilliant but insect-headed Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D. (Hugh Laurie); the macho half-ape, half-fish, The Missing Link (Will Arnett); the gelatinous and indestructible B.O.B. (Seth Rogen); and the 350-foot grub called Insectosaurus. Their confinement is cut short, however, when a mysterious alien robot lands on Earth and begins storming the country. In a moment of desperation, The President (Stephen Colbert) is persuaded to enlist the motley crew of Monsters to combat the alien robot and save the world from imminent destruction.

Other stars in this out-of-this-world ensemble include Rainn Wilson as Gallaxhar, the megalomaniac responsible for the alien robots and looking to replicate a new world in his own image; Kiefer Sutherland as General W.R. Monger, an armed forces lifer who's finally found a use for his collection of detained Monsters... battling the alien invader; and Paul Rudd as Derek Dietl, Susan's selfish fiance, who has outgrown his current weatherman position and aspires to network news greatness.

DreamWorks Animation SKG Presents Monsters vs Aliens, a Paramount Pictures release — and DreamWorks Animation's first InTru(TM) 3-D Movie, wholly conceived, developed and authored in 3-D — featuring the voices of Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Kiefer Sutherland, Rainn Wilson, Paul Rudd and Stephen Colbert. The film is directed by Rob Letterman ("Shark Tale") and Conrad Vernon ("Shrek 2").

MONSTERS VS ALIENS — Explore further:
—> Blu-ray Review by John J. Puccio »
EXCERPT: DreamWorks covered all the bases with "Monsters vs. Aliens": It's got instant references in the title alone to "Monsters, Inc.," "Alien," "Aliens," and "Alien vs. Predator." To say nothing of "Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever," which probably clinched it in terms of its super-huge box office in 2009. But wait; that's only the beginning.

It appears that everyone involved with the making of the picture was a lover of old-time monster-movies, because they packed "Monsters vs. Aliens" with references to just about every old sci-fi/fantasy monster movie ever made. I guarantee this: For adults, the movie is fun the first time through. I just can't guarantee that it would be too much fun after the initial viewing because the plot and characters are paper thin.

Here's the thing: The animation is gorgeous, and there's enough color, action, and adventure to satisfy most children. Regardless, for adults the only real pleasure may be counting all the older films this new one conjures up. The fact is, "Monsters vs. Aliens" really isn't so much a movie in itself as it is a collection of other movies. Among many other things, you'll find reminders here of not only the movies listed in the first paragraph but "Superman," "House of Wax," "Independence Day," "Twister," "Beetlejuice," "The X-Files," "Attack of the 50 Foot Woman," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," "Dr. Strangelove," "The Day the Earth Stood Still," "E.T.," "I, Robot," "Star Wars," "The Clone Wars," "The Blob," "The Fly," "Bullitt," "Ghostbusters," "Mars Attacks," "The Creature from the Black Lagoon," "Godzilla," "Super Woman," "Wall-E," "This Island Earth," "The Great Escape," "2001," "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow," and "Mothra."

And that's just for starters. I mean, the filmmakers even set their movie in the little town of Modesto, California. Why? Because George Lucas was born there. That's how obscure some of the references are. Add to that a soundtrack score by Henry Jackman reminiscent of Modest Mussorgsky's "Night on the Bare Mountain," and you get a movie you'll swear you've seen a dozen times before. Well, that was the filmmakers' intent, so you can't say they didn't succeed.

I found a couple of good laughs in "Monsters vs. Aliens" and a few smiles, nothing more. Perhaps on a big motion-picture theater screen in its original 3-D, I'd feel differently, I don't know. Otherwise, it comes off rather flat. What I can say for sure is that the movie is mainly for kids.

For a slightly more positive point of view, we hear from the Wife-O-Meter, who liked guessing at all the allusions to other movies. She rates the film an 8/10 for kids and a 6/10 for adults. OK, that's not too far different from my own rating of 5/10 for adults. And I agree that for kids "Monsters vs. Aliens" has a lot of color and action, and as the Wife-O-Meter also says, it's not too scary. Fair enough. As long as you're a kid.

(Click thru the Link above for the full review)

—> Visit the film's Official Site »
(from DreamWorks Animation)

—> View the Theatrical Trailer (w/HD) »
(from Apple.com Trailers website)

Rated PG for sci-fi action, some crude humor and mild language

"Looks like DreamWorks finally figured out that when you have a good script, a great voice cast and fun characters, you will have a great movie on your hands. This is a pleasure to watch for everyone."
—(Premiere)

"The clean lines of the film's 1950s retro look work well with the uncluttered, straightforward tale, and the filmmakers' nod to the era's B-movies is a nice one." —Betsy Sharkey (Los Angeles Times)

"Dazzling colors, winning characters and energetic visual effects all work in concert... Witty dialogue enhances the lively story."
—Claudia Puig (USA Today)

"Stephen Colbert gets in some laugh-worthy deliveries... The banter between the monsters, Ginormica included, is generally clever and snappy."
—Tasha Robinson (A.V. Club)

"An animated funhouse that delivers on its title and ups its scary-comic impact... There's enough merry mischief here to satisfy."
—Peter Travers (Rolling Stone)

MONSTERS VS ALIENS
Film Synopsis:
Oooze gonna save us?
Alien Problem? Monster Solution.
When California girl Susan Murphy is unwittingly clobbered by a meteor full of outer space gunk on her wedding day, she mysteriously grows to 49-feet-11-inches tall. The military jumps into action and Susan is captured and secreted away to a covert government compound. There, she is renamed Ginormica and placed in confinement with a ragtag group of Monsters: the brilliant but insect-headed Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D.; the macho half-ape, half-fish The Missing Link; the gelatinous and indestructible B.O.B.; and the 350-foot grub called Insectosaurus.

Their confinement is cut short, however, when a mysterious alien robot lands on Earth and begins storming the country. In a moment of desperation, the President is persuaded to enlist the motley crew of Monsters to combat the Alien Robot and save the world from imminent destruction.

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.

Co-directed by Rob Letterman (Shark Tale) and Conrad Vernon (Shrek 2) for DreamWorks Studios, this enjoyable animated production riffs on 1950s sci-fi movies while also playfully referencing everything from Dr. Strangelove to Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The vocal talent, which also includes Stephen Colbert as a daft, keyboard-playing American president, is top-notch, adding plenty of personality to the super-sized visuals and eye-popping effects. Conveying an easy-going sense of humor that will delight kids and amuse adults, MONSTERS VS. ALIENS is fun family fare that is sure to leave everyone thoroughly entertained.

B.O.B.'S BIG BREAK
B.O.B. (Seth Rogen) and his monstrous crew are on a mission to bust out of Area 52, the government's top-secret holding cell. Led by mad-scientist Dr. Cockroach P.H.D. (Hugh Laurie) and macho amphibian The Missing Link (Will Arnett), the trio outwits grizzled General W.R. Monger (Kiefer Sutherland) to make a triumphant escape… almost.

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Please Note - More details:
Be sure to check out the full details under related releases.

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