Cool Monsters in funniest DreamWorks animation to date

Rating: 8/10 (12 April 2009)

Susan gets transformed into a 50ft woman on her wedding day and as a result is forced to join a group of monsters to fight an oncoming threat from an approaching alien.
Wall-E, Toy Story, The Incredibles and Monsters Inc all show how fantasy comedy and storytelling combined can work. All Oscar winners that are not DreamWorks pictures. Pixar therefore are on somewhat of a role and the arrival of Shrek and Kung Fu Panda have been the closet rivals ever so could this promising picture depicting the most famous of legends finally top the best animators in the business? For this year that certainly remains to be seen after a fairly disappointing trailer for next Pixar release Up! But Rob Letterman's release is certainly enthralling viewing for any age, if perhaps not going to rattle the cages of Pixar's seemingly unflappable reputation.
What this picture does is entertain from start to finish with a coolly funny plot that maintains the comic without diving too deep into the weepy soap styled animations that can be the knockdown of so many others. When the plot feels like heading that way up pops one of the cool looking monsters with an in-joke or crazy physical act to keep the laughs coming which is a massive relief as when the emotions hit this film doesn't handle all too well. Susan's overwhelming emotions and The Missing Link's unfit shape make you want to hide your head. But do not fret as this is surely the funniest picture DreamWorks have ever mustered.
Shrek had all the attributes for great family viewing. The physical humour of eating disgusting food and Eddie Murphy's Donkey are classic and the emotional core on the concept of appearance is almost tear worthy. Monsters Vs Aliens emotional core may waver but the hilarity from the monsters is beautiful. The physical attributes contributed by BOB are exquisite and the Cockroach's mad attitude towards science is manic humour where even Susan has her moments. Go Monsters! It is an obvious one sided film where you will always route for Monsters as the stereotypical and over dramatic evil alien Gallaxhar (worst villain name ever?) will have you hating him each time on screen.
The bizarre representation of the President is often funny if way overboard but the kids will love it.
The intertextuality of the film survives on classic Sci-Fi films such as The Blob. Not to mention the inclusion of monsters away from the real world feels Men in Black. But these are handled well through some fine physical humour and an easily accessible plot that will make kids laugh and adults intrigued by the sophisticated action and political agendas.