Something was missing... but what?

Rating: 5/10 (11 January 2011)

Having just sat through this animated movie, I was a bit disappointed, because I had been told it was super great. Now, don't get me wrong, this is not a bad movie, not by far. But there was just something missing, something to make it stand out and go the extra mile.
The story told in "Monsters vs Aliens" is pretty easy to get yourself immersed into, and it is a fast paced story as well, lots of action and fun along the way. But there was just something missing here to make it unique. Maybe because I watched it after having seen movies like "How to Train Your Dragon", "Despicable Me" and "Megamind"?
Anyway, as for the list of voices on the cast list, well, only one word is necessary here really; WOW! There were so many really good actors and actresses here, and they really did a great job with their characters, and you really bought into it. With names like Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Kiefer Sutherland, Paul Rudd, and more, it was just right on the money for the casting of performers to do the voice acting.
The animation style was nice to look at, lots of cool effects, details and nice coloring. So that really worked for the movie. I wasn't fortunate enough to watch the movie in 3D, I am sure that would have made the movie experience that much better.
"Monsters vs Aliens" is an alright animation movie, but there are those out there with better story lines and better animation in general. And to me, "Monsters vs Aliens" is the type of movie that you never pick up to watch again once you have seen it the first time. Now, I can't really put a finger on what it was that I specifically thought was missing from the movie, but I just have that feeling after having seen the movie.