LuckyWillMonsters vs Aliens: Out of This World
April 26th 2009 18:14
As is becoming increasingly more common with these animated “kids films” the creators have included (along with the slapstick comedy for the little ones) a lot of clever film references and jokes to keep the adults entertained just as much.
The story follows the exploits of a young woman named Susan (Reece Witherspoon) as she prepares to fulfil a life long dream; to find the perfect guy, have a big wedding, turn into a giant monster, and save the world from aliens. Oh well, to each their own I guess. The film begins at her wedding where, just minutes before walking down the isle, Susan is struck down by a large green meteorite. Much to her dismay, this causes her to grow to an enormous, you could even say, monstrous size before she is captured by military Special Forces. She is then transported to a top secret location where she meets her fellow monster captives, each one seemingly a tribute to 1950’s sci-fi film.
Dr Cockroach (Hugh Laurie) is a crazed professor that was transformed into an insect as he sought to unlock the key to invincibility. Much like his predecessor, “The Fly”(1958), Dr Cockroach chose his subjects for their strength and durability and not, unfortunately, for their looks. Also on the team is The Missing Link (Will Arnett), a creature who has come a long way from his origins in the Black Lagoon (1954) and now fancies himself as the toughest wuss on the planet. But before he can even think about taking on extra terrestrial life forms, ‘Link’ as he is known, must first win his battle with the bulge if he is to be of any use to his friends. B.O.B (Seth Rogen) is the next team member; a gelatinous mass with an eye and a big mouth. Funnier than his 1958 ancestor “The Blob”, this new-age goo is living proof that a brain is not an essential organ for survival if you don’t plan on thinking.
The by play between the three characters is refreshingly hilarious as their intellect, pride and stupidity regularly clash. Susan therefore assumes the role of mediator among them and (despite her enormous stature) manages to blend in with her new crowd quite effectively. Last but not least, towering above them all, is the colossal, Godzilla-like, Insectosaurus. For most of the film it does little but waddle, scream and shoot snot at things but it too plays a significant part in the film later on.
Also adding to the films rich cast is Kiefer Sutherland who plays the inimitable general in charge of the facility, General Monger. Not to be outdone by his strange companions, the general is as reckless and unusual as a “normal” person can get. His clueless superior, US President Hathaway (Stephen Colbert), bumbles his way awkwardly through the film, blindly allowing others to decide the fate of his country. In his defence, however, in one day the president learns not only that aliens exist and that they are invading the planet but that monsters also exist and that they are willing to save it. That’s a lot to take in at once.
The invading alien, Galaxar, is voiced by Rainn Wilson, and is your typical, super evil genius. Though his plans are never truly made clear it is obvious that humanity doesn’t feature in his new design for planet Earth and so President Hathaway steps in with a funky keyboard solo to appease the tentacled tyrant. Strangely this unorthodox means of diplomacy fails and it is left to the monsters to ward off global annihilation. The fate of the world rests on their large, disfigured, slimy, hairy shoulders and while they find giant killer robots a breeze to handle it’s the general public whom they consider their greatest threat. No matter what they do, it seems people just aren’t ready to accept human sized bugs, building sized humans, blobs of ooze or scaly fishmen.
The film is hilarious and manages to keep the laughs going right through the film. The jokes are well timed and executed and the story itself is quite clever in parts. It looks fantastic in 3D and is just a joy from start to finish. The funniest character, by far is B.O.B who, at one point, falls in love with a plate of jelly. As a comedy it succeeded with flying colours and I don’t hesitate in recommending everyone to see it …twice!
Rating: 5 misunderstood monsters/ 5
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I still haven't seen this one but being a huge B grade monster fan it is an inevitable...
Comment by alexonline
Funny and interesting crap