Academic

Family Film Blogging: Monsters v. Aliens

By Gordon Smith, Christine, Hurt, Vic Fleischer, Fred Tung, Lisa Fairfax, David Zaring

If you are already making weekend plans and are wondering about the newest Dreamworks animated feature, Monsters v. Aliens, then wonder no more.  We were there for the big opening weekend, and we were not disappointed. 

First of all, the 3D version is really cool.  (Our theater had three screens showing the movie, but only one screen was in 3D.)  Our showing was sold out when we arrived, and the two fifth-graders that accompanied me insisted we wait 2 hours for the next 3D showing, not 20 minutes for the next "2D" showing.  But, the wait (spent at the library) was well worth it.  I am fairly skeptical of 3D movies, having been burned for the past 30 years or so (Jaws 3D?  Awful.  The Adventures of Shark Boy and Lava Girl 3D?  Awful on multiple fronts.)  Looking at this list of 3D movies, I'm guessing that "realD 3D cinema" is the key to the new resurgence in 3D movies outside of the IMAX format.  (Note from the list that Toy Story and Toy Story 2 may be re-released in realD 3D in theaters.  Just make a Toy Story 3, people!)  Anyway, the 3D is very good, and the glasses you get are not silly paper things that fall off of your face -- these are Buddy Holly-type plastic glasses that are quite comfortable to wear.  Cool!

And, the movie isn't merely a 3D vehicle -- it actually has a story, and the story is cute.  I'm a big sucker for these kids' movies with a plot twist a couple of eons away from "beautiful damsel is in distress and rescued by handsome prince" fairy tales.  That's why I loved both the first two Shrek movies and Enchanted.  Here, you also have a female character who rescues herself from both physical and emotional disasters and who comes to realize that being strong and powerful is a good thing.  I like that kind of fairy tale!

There are some really funny moments, and Seth Rogen's "B.O.B. (blob)" character is really, really hilarious.  I can't find this quote online, but I'll paraphrase my favorite line.  In the warroom, the President and his staff are trying to strategize on how to respond to an alien probe that is impervious to conventional weapons.  Someone says "We have to get the brightest minds in America on this."  Someone else says, "Call India."  No one else in the theater laughed but me, but that's not a rare occurrence.

Full post as published by Conglomerate on April 02, 2009 (boomark / email).