Review: MONSTERS vs. ALIENS

After throughly enjoying Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar 2, I expected Dreamworks Animation to be on the road to at least something of El Dorado standards again. Something, charming and fun, not relying on references and pop culture, but on relationships of characters and the adventures on which they journey. Then Monsters vs. Aliens came out, and I quickly realized that I was wrong.

Mark's Top 5 For 2009

If everyone else is doing lists, I will too! 2009 is going to be a HUUUUUUGE year for film. It seems that when the films were going in a downward spiral, the studios actually listened and started upping the ante on their work. It was hard, but I've narrowed it down to five that I absolutely cannot wait for. (Watchmen isn't on the list because it may not come out in 2009)

5. Dragonball Evolution
So if you have been following The Movie Watch for a while, you'd know that I am quite intrigued by the idea of a live action movie based on the Dragonball series. Being a big fan, it doesn't look bad. I don't think it will be one of the greatest cinematic achievements of all time, but it has appeal for both the fans and the mainstream media. If anything, it'll just be a good "B" martial arts movie.


4. Monsters Vs Aliens
This film has been on my radar for quite some time. Before I saw any renders or heard any dialogue, I saw that Stephen Colbert was going to play the president and that Hugh Laurie was going to play a mad scientist named Dr. Cockroach M.D.. Those two comedic talents are enough for a great flick *coughdependingonthescriptcough*, but they are joined by Will Arnett, Seth Rogen, Keifer Sutherland, Paul Rudd and more. This looks to be another great Dreamworks venture.



3.Up
Pixar looks to wow us all again with the story of Carl Fredricksen. He sets out on a journey with a boyscout trying to get his "help the elderly badge" in order to fulfill his late wife's dream of exploring the mountains. Ed Asner is the voice of Carl and because of my love of Freakazoid!, I think this will be one of his best roles yet. It's a Pixar movie, you know you're going to see it. Also, what sort of teaser for Toy Story 3 do you think we'll get?


2. Star Trek XI
I was raised on Star Trek. I had seen all of the Next Generation movies in the theatre (except the last one, but who did see that in theatres?). I don't know as much about the original series except for what was in the films they made, so being able to see an origin story makes me a little excited. Also, they shot the academy scenes at Cal State University Northridge, where I am currently enrolled. It'll be funny to see the certain scenes and be like "Kirk went to Sky High!" It's gonna be great, so grab your phaser and set it to FUN! I couldn't help myself with the hokey line. Leave your complaints with Ezra.


1.Fanboys
What did you expect? Bride Wars? No sir! This film has been in hell for quite some time with fans just waiting to get any glimpse they can. I saw about ten to twenty minutes of the flick last year at Comic-Con and couldn't wait for it's release in 2008! It seems like this film is to us like what Phantom Menace is to the guys (and girl) in the flick. I know it won't disappoint. There is going to be more Star Wars jokes than Kevin Smith could ever dream of and more Star Trek knocking than ever. I can't wait to see what is in store and what they think of Phantom. Who's got two thumbs and already bought his tickets? THIS GUY!


HAVE A GOOD 2009! I know I will!

First trailer for Monsters vs. Aliens, Dreamworks' next film appears online

The next movie from Dreamworks is Monsters vs. Aliens, a movie where a huge alien comes down to earth and the US military establishes a team of monsters (and a really tall girl) to fight it. It is made in the style a 1950's B sci-fi movie, full of every visual and vocal gag that anyone could ever imagine. I personally think it looks hilarious... almost like an animated Leslie Neilsen movie.

Lately Dreamworks has been making some awesome films (Kung Fu Panda & Madagascar 2) so, here's hoping that the trend continues!




Monsters vs. Aliens hits theaters March 27th, 2009

Upcoming DREAMWORKS Film: Monsters Vs Aliens

Monsters vs Aliens is next years DREAMWORKS film. It will be the first animated film to go to theaters that is 100% 3D and made for it properly (no more throwing stuff at the screen). The animation and rendering looks simply fantastic, and based on the leaked trailer (which is no longer available online, the premise and jokes are quite funny too.

Here is a synopisis according to Wikipedia:

When California girl Susan Murphy (voiced by Reese Witherspoon) is unexpectedly clobbered by a meteor full of outer space gunk on her wedding day, she mysteriously grows to 49-feet-11-inches tall (An inch short of being 50 feet tall, a joke on Attack of the 50 Foot Woman) and is instantly labeled a "monster" named Ginormica. The military jumps into action, and she is captured and held in a secret government compound. The world learns that the military has been quietly rounding up other monsters over the years. This ragtag group consists of the brilliant but insect-headed Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D. (voiced by Hugh Laurie); the macho Dagon the Missing Link (voiced by Will Arnett); the gelatinous and indestructible B.O.B. (voiced by Seth Rogen); and the 350-foot grub called Insectosaurus. Their confinement time is cut short however, when a mysterious alien robot named Gallaxhar (voiced by Rainn Wilson) lands on Earth and begins storming the country.
As a last resort, under the guidance of General W.R. Monger (voiced by Kiefer Sutherland), on a desperate order from The President (voiced by Stephen Colbert), the motley crew of Monsters is called into action to combat the aliens and save the world from imminent destruction.

This trailer also seems to lampoon every single one of its cast members current or past careers as well. Hugh Laurie (HOUSE) plays a Dr. Will Arnett plays a wierdo who is quirky. Seth Rogen plays a blob who is basically Seth Rogen animated (as all his roles are. Kiefer Sutherland (24) plays a war expert Badass. Stephen Colbert plays the president (a nod to the Stephen Colbert for President Campaign).

Based on the trailer, the film is fast paced with a joke a minute, with great rendering and animation. The only oddity is the human male characters faces look a bit... too... caricatured. Almost like MAD Magazine. It seems to be a hilarious take on the B sci-fi movies, and a fresh source of humor that has not been seen in animated films for a while, and before this only seen in Leslie Neilsen movies.

I'll check it out.

Monsters Vs. Aliens hits theaters May 2009