Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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DreamWorks' "Monsters vs. Aliens" is one of the most anticipated movies so far this year, and I'm glad to say it really delivers.
The film kicks off with a meteor striking a young woman on the verge of her nuptials. Well, she seems to be all right and the wedding goes on. But just as the, "I do's" are being said, she starts to glow and she starts to grow. Just as she bursts through the roof of the church on the way to a height of 50 feet, the helicopters, artillery and troops arrive.
Susan Murphy, with the voice of Reece Witherspoon, is sedated and shuttled off to a mysterious, secret site. When she wakes, she's in a terrifying prison where, we find, the government keeps monsters.
Keifer Sutherland provides voice for General Monger, the warden of this very bizarre place. He introduces Susan to her fellow inmates including Dr. Cockroach PhD, a mad scientist with Hugh Laurie's voice, whose experiments tend to run amuck, explaining why he's now, well, a cockroach.
Then there's the amphibious, Missing Link, and he sounds a lot like Will Arnett. The most endearing prisoner is B.O.B. He's a cycloptic gelatinous blob without a brain with Seth Rogan giving him a voice.
And then there's Insectasaurus. The only prisoner even bigger than Susan, he simply roars.
As the story unfolds, we find that a dictatorial space alien named Gallaxhar is searching for the meteor that hit our heroine because of its incredible power and that now has been transferred to…you got it, Susan. Well, when the aliens invade Earth, the president, voiced by Stephen Colbert, gives approval for the release of the monster prisoners so they can fight the aliens.
Thoroughly entertaining with compelling characters and terrific animation, "Monsters vs. Aliens" is great family fun. Now, there are a few sketchy moments with potty humor. And for the really young movie-goers, there are some scary scenes. But overall, DreamWorks has really delivered.
I like "Monsters vs. Aliens." It's rated PG and I'm giving it 3 ½ stars.
