Monsters vs. Aliens

2009

Monsters vs. Aliens

Critics Consensus

Though it doesn't approach the depth of the best animated films, Monsters Vs. Aliens has enough humor and special effects to entertain moviegoers of all ages.

73%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 216

59%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 590,291
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Movie Info

When California girl Susan Murphy is unwittingly clobbered by a meteor full of outer space gunk on her wedding day, she mysteriously grows to 49-feet-11-inches tall. The military jumps into action and Susan is captured and secreted away to a covert government compound. There, she is renamed Ginormica and placed in confinement with a ragtag group of Monsters: the brilliant but insect-headed Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D.; the macho half-ape, half-fish The Missing Link; the gelatinous and indestructible B.O.B.; and the 350-foot grub called Insectosaurus. Their confinement is cut short, however, when a mysterious alien robot lands on Earth and begins storming the country. In a moment of desperation, the President is persuaded to enlist the motley crew of Monsters to combat the Alien Robot and save the world from imminent destruction.

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Cast

Reese Witherspoon
as Susan Murphy/Ginormica
Hugh Laurie
as Dr. Cockroach
Seth Rogen
as B.O.B.
Will Arnett
as Missing Link
Kiefer Sutherland
as Gen. W.R. Monger
Stephen Colbert
as The President
Rainn Wilson
as Galaxhar
Paul Rudd
as Derek Dietl
Julie White
as Wendy Murphy
Jeffrey Tambor
as Carl Murphy
Amy Poehler
as computer
Ed Helms
as News Reporter
Renée Zellweger
as Katie
John Krasinski
as Cuthbert
Jimmy Kimmel
as Insectosaurus
Lisa Stewart
as Bridesmaid Candy
Gavin Greenway
Gavin Greenaway
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Critic Reviews for Monsters vs. Aliens

All Critics (216) | Top Critics (50)

  • Monsters vs Aliens is skilfully animated and spasmodically funny, but you get the impression the film's seven (!) writers ran out of ideas two-thirds of the way through.

    Apr 3, 2009 | Rating: 3/6 | Full Review…

    Derek Adams

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • Engagingly nerdy movie in-jokes are clearly a step in the right direction for DreamWorks after the rather crass and bombastic approach of the Shrek movies.

    Apr 3, 2009 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Wendy Ide

    Times (UK)
    Top Critic

  • It's all very good value, although I have a vague feeling that a gallery of freaky sci-fi creatures, as in Monsters Inc, may not engage the young audience's sympathies as much as humanoids. Great fun, anyway.

    Apr 3, 2009 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Peter Bradshaw

    Guardian
    Top Critic

  • DreamWorks still has a lot to learn about the superior powers of immersion exerted by a well-told story.

    Apr 3, 2009 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Sandra Hall

    Sydney Morning Herald
    Top Critic

  • Since this is a film for children, we know with virtual certainty that nobody we care about will come to harm. But there's no reason this deft fantasy shouldn't appeal to adults as well.

    Apr 3, 2009 | Full Review…

    Jake Wilson

    The Age (Australia)
    Top Critic

  • This lively story about a young girl who gets hit by a meteor on her wedding day that turns her into a giant is certainly wacky enough.

    Apr 3, 2009 | Rating: 3/5

    Derek Malcolm

    London Evening Standard
    Top Critic
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Audience Reviews for Monsters vs. Aliens

  • Mar 29, 2016
    A ton of fun, Monsters vs. Aliens is both a hilarious parody and homage to the monster movies of old while also giving us a lighthearted and enjoyable tale about acceptance - even if it appeals more to kids then adults.
    Matthew M Super Reviewer
  • Dec 18, 2015
    It returns the idea for something never been done a long time ago, but clearly it wasn't what I wanted but it still works anyways.
    EpicLadySponge t Super Reviewer
  • Aug 20, 2014
    DreamWorks Animation presents the ultimate no-holds-barred contest in Monsters vs. Aliens. The story follows a group of monsters hidden away at a top secret military base who get a chance at freedom when the U.S. government calls upon them to stop a giant alien robot that's attacking San Francisco. With the voice talents of Reese Witherspoon, Will Arnett, Seth Rogen, and Kiefer Sutherland, the cast is pretty impressive. However, the characters are a little cartoony and played more for laughs than storytelling. But this works for the style of comedy that the film is going for, and the jokes are rather good; mixing parody and slapstick quite well. Though it tends to be a little silly at times, Monsters vs. Aliens is a brawl not to be missed.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Apr 11, 2014
    As exciting as the 1st monsters animation plus a wide spectrum of celebrity voices.
    Sanity Assassin ! Super Reviewer
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