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BMZ Review: Monsters vs. Aliens: An IMAX 3D Experience
By Ann Coates

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Monsters vs. Aliens: An IMAX 3D Experience
Written by: Ann Coates
Source: Big Movie Zone
Date: March 27, 2009

Category: Reviews

A play on conventions, Monsters vs. Aliens, DreamWorks' first foray in their InTru 3D format, is more a technical achievement than an ambitious, fresh, new way of storytelling. Though unchallenging in its plot, the film nevertheless infuses unorthodox elements that keep the film intriguing in the otherwise tame genre of animation. Where monsters are conventionally the nemeses in films, they become here our heroes. With likable characters, particularly Ginormica/Susan and the ever dull-witted but endearing B.O.B., Monsters vs. Aliens offers a benign, but refreshing take on weirdos.

Meant for 3D viewing, the IMAX version of the film enhances the incredible technical prowess of the film's animators. Unlike previous digitally animated films, where environment and characters are obviously computer-generated, Monsters presents animation that feels real, albeit in a way that resembles plastic toys and miniature train set environments rather than real life. Nevertheless, an IMAX viewing of the film and in 3D no less, amplifies the crisp detail of animation more than any other medium available. Characters seem like plastic dolls come to life, while environments appear to contain model cars and planes rather than computer-generated pixels. As expected, 3D gags aplenty open the film, but once the film settles down into its story, the lame gags cease almost entirely, and the flawless 3D animation can stand on its own.

The story itself, though working within the confines of non-offensive family viewing, amuses with its infusion of bizarre characters and quirky jokes. We follow Susan, who on her wedding day, gets hit by a meteorite which not only bleaches her hair white, but causes her to grow into a giant. Brought to a secret military facility, Susan, now Ginormica, meets a group of monster inmates, each a new and slightly off-kilter version of an old b-movie character: mad scientist Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D., half-ape half-fish The Missing Link, the gelatinous B.O.B., and the gigantic Godzilla-sized grub Insectosaurus.

An alien invader, led and made up entirely of the squidlike Gallaxhar threatens the Earth soon after the meteorite hits Ginormica. Much of the film is spent poking fun at many classic, b-movie sci-fi films turning their conventions on its head. Ginormica is our unwitting hero (or rather heroine), and her unusual crew of monsters comprise the saviors of the world. Action-heavy in the later half of the film, Monsters avoids clichéd and predictable character development simply through the unusualness of its characters. Nevertheless like every kid movie, the monsters never stray too far from a friendly, pleasant appeal. The story itself is pretty predictable, but charming enough, made riveting by the -- yeah, I'll say it -- stunning visuals.

A likable movie, the film could do with a bit more laughs -- the best jokes can be found in the trailers to the film unfortunately. Nevertheless, it's a breath of fresh air whenever the weirdos are celebrated and the average Joes are hurled 300 ft. into the air only to be caught in the mouth of a big, blue, slimy blob.