Monsters vs. Aliens - A Movie Review

I’ll tell you what we need to destroy this alien robot - monsters.

Monsters vs. Aliens crash-landed into theaters in 2009. On her wedding day, Susan Murphy is hit by a meteor. She grows into a fifty-foot-tall woman. She becomes part of a team of monsters sent in by the U.S. government to defeat an alien mastermind trying to take over the world.

I loved every minute of Monsters vs. Aliens when I saw it in theaters as a kid. Revisiting this film as an adult, it still had the same effect on me. Animated movies aren’t made like they used to be! Monster vs. Aliens is an action-packed sci-fi animated film about friendship, heroism, and being you.

Susan (AKA Ginormica) is the most underrated animated female character. She starts as your generic female lead who has dreams for love and is a bit of an airhead. Susan’s growth (not just her height) is not examined enough for her courage and genuine appeal to her new abilities.

Alongside Susan is a band of misfit monsters, each with their own unique quirks. The Missing Link, Dr. Cockroach, and B.O.B. are hilarious! Writers hit the mark for each menacing, unworthy, or humorously gelatinous monster, creating fluid characterization. These characters shine with personality and heart.

Another aspect that deserves more credit is the characterization and friendship between the main characters. You’d never think these characters would make a great team. That’s one of the best parts about friendship. Who says you have to be the same to be friends?

Voice work is excellent. Voice acting is a different world. Just because you only put your voice to the test, you must connect with the characters and the story. Reese Witherspoon does an amazing job as Susan. She adds her usual charm, but incredible depth to the role. Seth Rogan, Hugh Laurie, and Will Arnett are all fantastic.

Other voices include Rainn Wilson as the villain Gallaxhar. Stephen Colbert is hilarious as the heedless President Hathaway. More include Keifer Sutherland, Paul Rudd, Julie White, Jeffrey Tambor, and Amy Poehler.

Behind the scenes, Monsters vs. Aliens is filled with fun facts and trivia that add to the enjoyment of this film. Rob Letterman and Conrad Vernon studied classic horror films like Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (1958) and The Blob (1958).

The animation work completes Monsters vs. Aliens. Just like when I was a kid, I was mesmerized by the insanely awesome giant robot attack on the San Fransisco bridge. This sequence is epic, action-packed, and suspenseful.

The animation team built a replica of the San Fransisco bridge and videotaped their performances to reference for the animators. Animators also studied real-life insects to create movements of the film’s alien creatures. These details may seem small, but that’s what makes animated movies stand out. They go above and beyond to be something more.

Comedy is also a big contributor to the success of this film. In a long list of several hilarious moments, one of my favorite scenes is the president walking up the long staircase to meet the giant robot. With the camera switching to multiple viewpoints, several comedic moments were added like the president’s exhaustion or taking a drink of water.

The moral of Monsters vs. Aliens cannot go unnoticed. As Susan learns, we can do so much more with our abilities. Put Monsters vs. Aliens on the list for young audiences. A TV series also spanned from the success of the movie. This is a film I would love to watch in theaters again.