King Kong eat your heart out (Monsters vs Aliens (DVD))

Member Name: bruffyboy

Product:	Monsters vs Aliens (DVD)
Date:	12/09/09 (37 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: 1st half

Disadvantages: 2nd half

I have to say I was a bit sceptical about watching this film. There's something about putting a monster in a children's film that seems wrong to me, but this was well received by the critics and this morning I sat down with my two year old to give it a go.

The story begins on Susan's wedding day. She's a nice woman, but seems to be marrying the wrong guy. Still, she need not worry because a mysterious object from outer-space soon turns her into a giant with super strength, which kind of puts a dampener on the day. The government lock Susan away in a secret holding pen along with all the other 'monsters' they've discovered, and she's doomed to spend her life there. When an alien attack begins on San Francisco, Susan and her monster pals are released to do battle, but will they be able to save the world?

Well, the first thing that jumped out at me about this film is the range of actors involved. From Seth Rogen to Keiffer Sutherland, and a whole host of well known names inbetween, this is a really well cast film. It seems everyone was happy to get on board, which is quite something. The well known voices add a certain charm to the film which is nice.

The story itself is OK. The first half is really good, with lots and lots of adult jokes in it (nothing rude, just clever word-play or jibes), and I really enjoyed it. However, the second half gets a little dull. Basically, the story pretty much ends within forty minutes, and then another story begins to keep it going. I have to say that the second half wasn't really that interesting, and it seems they ran out of good ideas for the film.

The animation is fantastic - very cutting edge high quality CGI. It seems like we've got to the point where animation just can't get any better, but I'm sure they'll think of some way of making it even more impressive.

Some scenes have an intense, frightening vibe to them. Many of these turn out to be nothing, but the fact that they are trying to make it seem scary is actually a bit scary for young viewers, and I found myself having to reassure my two year old that everything was OK, which was not something I thought I should have to do with a kid's film.

All in all, this is an average film. The first half really is great, but to not be able to keep up the excellence for a film that is only 90 minutes long in the first place smacks of a poorly thought through story.

Summary: do it