Monsters vs. Aliens (PG, 2009)

common sense media says

Homage to '50s alien flicks too intense for youngest kids.


parents & educators say
  • 52% say violence is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that, like The Incredibles, this movie is too violent and intense for the youngest viewers. There's gunfire, explosions, widespread destruction, crowds panicking, and some deaths -- including one in which a good guy picks up a gun and accidentally shoots a bad guy, with no real consequences. Much of this is played for laughs, but it could be quite scary for young kids. One of the good guys is briefly presumed dead, which could also be upsetting. On the other hand, language is mild ("jerk," "stupid," etc.), and sexuality is mostly just flirting and discussing love/marriage, though there's one scene in which a couple is about to make out in a parked car. The movie is being released in both 2-D and 3-D versions; the 3-D one could be scarier for kids due to the finer line between fantasy and reality.

Positive messages: Teamwork and determination save the day here, but there's also a disrespect of authority figures who are shown as stupid and thoughtless.
Positive role models: Main character is a self-reliant and confident girl. The monsters save the humans even though humans are at first scared and disgusted by them.
Violence & scariness: Lots of gunfire and big explosions, including some alien deaths (one via accidental ray-gun shooting). A "good guy" character is attacked and thought to be dead. The alien robot shoots at and nearly destroys the Golden Gate Bridge, along with everyone on it; the monsters' fight against him is fairly intense. Buildings are crushed. The president instructs the military to "do something violent" when his negotiations with the alien robot fail.
Sexy stuff: A couple is in a parked car about to make out when an alien ship interrupts them. The general makes a gesture referring to Susan's breasts (but it will probably go over kids' head). BOB flirts with a Jell-o mold.
Language: Some insults and mild language like "jerk," "stupid," "boobies," "jerk," and "idiot." One exclamation of "Sweet Lord!" during a chaotic moment and an "oh my God" (as well as one use of "OMG!").
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Monsters vs. Aliens

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the impact of using violence -- even animated fantasy violence -- to elicit laughs. Why is it funny to see a character get shot? Would it have been as funny if it was a human (or monster) getting shot instead of a generic alien clone? What are the consequences of violence in real life?

  • Families can also discuss how Susan's character evolves in the movie. How does she change, both physically and emotionally? Is she a good role model for girls? Why or why not?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Susan Murphy (voiced by Reese Witherspoon) is about to marry one of Modesto, Calif.'s, biggest catches -- egotistical local weatherman Derek Dietl (Paul Rudd). But right before she walks down the aisle, a meteorite mysteriously endows her with intergalactic superpowers, and she suddenly shoots up to nearly 50 feet tall. The military immediately ensconces her in a secret prison; there, Susan (now known as "Ginormica") meets fellow internees BOB (Seth Rogen), a sentient blob-like mass; Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D. (Hugh Laurie), a mad scientist who morphed into a roach; The Missing Link (Will Arnett), a half-man, half-fish show off; and a humongous grub called Insectosaurus. When an evil alien (Rainn Wilson) unleashes a destructive robot on San Francisco, the government releases the monsters to take down the massive threat to humanity.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

DreamWorks Animation often takes a backseat to the computer-animation masters at Pixar, but MONSTERS VS. ALIENS is practically Pixar worthy -- which is to say it's the kind of animated adventure that even child-free audiences can enjoy. Resurrecting the campy, old-school villains of '50s B movies as modern-day heroes is brilliant, even if the target audience won't get most of the references. Directors Rob Letterman and Conrad Vernon should also be applauded for the 3-D action scenes that are thrilling enough for adults without being too intense for tweens.

The voice talent is stellar -- from sweet-sounding Witherspoon to Dr. House as Dr. Roach to friendly shlub Rogen as a brainless blob to Kiefer Sutherland channeling Dale Dye as General W.R. Monger (get it?). And more than a few moviegoers will hoot for joy at the casting of Stephen Colbert as a doltish president who's first seen trying to communicate with the alien robot by playing both the tune from Close Encounters and "Axel F" on keyboard. The president also keeps accidentally almost pushing a big red button that releases nuclear weapons ... which is identical to the one that releases a latte. It's gags like that one that make Monsters vs. Aliens a real blast.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: DreamWorks
Director: Conrad Vernon, Rob Letterman
Cast: Hugh Laurie, Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 94 minutes
Theatrical release: March 27, 2009
DVD release: September 29, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: sci-fi action, some crude humor and mild language
Watch our review

This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
 
 

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What parents & educators say

7
Based on 66 parent & educator reviews:
  • 52% say violence is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

Miranda ...
kid, 11 years old
 
Awesome!
Great movie! But some scary 3D scenes for little kids and the word "boobies" is a very bad word.

matt51172
kid, 13 years old
 
Funny movie.
Funny, Exciting, and is a great movie for kids ages 5 and up.

masonlackey
teen, 14 years old
 
love it!
oh my goodness for a kids movie i wasnt expecting much but now i am proud to declare this as one of my favorite movies my little bro's new all time fav and a great movie thats worth checking out!

Jadenp
teen, 15 years old
 
Good movie, but some sensuality and violence and language.

Semi Intelligence.
teen, 13 years old
 
Okay for everyone, except for the very young
This movie is okay for children over 7. Children under 7 should watch this with an adult as there are some scary portains. Babies and Toddlers should avoid this movie at all costs.

Beaner4
parent of 4 year old
 
More for parents than kids
Not for younger viewers. Too much of a sense of menace and danger, even in most of the milder scenes. I got a kick out of it, but my son asked to turn it off (loudly).

joannab
parent of 7 and 9 year old
 

PhoenixGirl
kid, 13 years old
 
Good Movie
Pretty funny movie, its not amazingly good, but its average.

eagles4ever
teen, 15 years old
 
FUNNY MOVIE!
I love BOB, he is a funny character. Nothing too intense, just a little violence, just like a regular PG movie would have. Any age can see this it is pretty funny.

 
Plenty of action that might be scary for little kids.

Tsion
parent of 15 year old
 
Clever and Funny, And Kid-Friendly!
MONSTERS vs. ALIENS is a good movie. It's funny and charming. However, it is also emotionally distant. I found myself wishing that the writers took some time out of gags and invested it into the characters and plot. That would have made it a much better movie. However, the bright side is that it is kid-friendly. Some parts of the film are intense, but whatever mild violence there is is softened by humor. There are plenty of slapstick falls and situations, but it's all mild. Guns and explosions are prominent, but it's all cartoony and for the most part, no one gets hurt. One monster is hurt pretty badly, but ends up all right in the end. There is no language as I could recall, except for one slang use of "boobs". No sexual content at all. Positive messages pervade the film. Although the President and other leaders are shown as imbeciles for comedic effect, the main characters promote acceptance, tolerance, mercy, and teamwork.

Justino4
teen, 14 years old
 
Monsters Vs. Aliens Vs. Bare Butts
As "sexy stuff" I think there was really disguisting stuff that shouldn't be in a PG movie such as a guy showing his bare butt right before entering a lab. Sure it's funny, but it seems a bit PG-13-ish. Other than that bare butt, the rating's pretty much good.

arthur16morgana
teen, 16 years old
 
funny movie
i found this movie(especially BOB) to be hilarious!

Ugli Chic
teen, 18 years old
 
Up there with Godzilla and Japanese monster movies :)
Have to tell ya, this monster movie was one of the funniest I've seen that actually has some backbone to it. Kinda like Godzilla, Ultraman, and other Japanese monster movies, but more light-hearted. My brothers would probably throttle me if they knew I was comparing this to Godzilla and etc., but oh well :) I laughed so hard first time I saw the trailer, too, and the movie didn't disappoint. Just a few things, for parents and those who may be concerned: some references to female body parts, some flirting between the blue blob B.O.B and a jello mold; mild language (stupid, OMG, sweet Lord, boobies, etc.), and some not-too-violent scenes where the military and the monsters are fighting the aliens (thus the title, isn't that interesting). Hey, you can't have a monster movie without violence, can you? It's impossible! Movie moves along at a fast pace, but is definitely a good one for laughs! ~Ugli Chic

Yeah.
teen, 14 years old
 
Check out my page for more great recommendations.
I'm not here to give a review because if it shows up on my page its a 5 star movie and so therefore you know what i think about it.

evaallen
parent of 3 and 8 year old
 
Just wanted to warn parents that the beginning of the movie, when Susan quickly grows enormous during her wedding can be scary for younger children, primarily because of the emotional distress the character displays during the process, and because she is then taken away from her family against her will. She's fine in the end, of course, and the later scenes of violence and threat to the entire earth didn't phase her at all, but my 6-year-old had nightmares for several nights about the separation from parents/abduction aspect.

bendhammond
kid, 12 years old
 
very good kids movie that will be a classic

JaydensMommy
parent of 3 year old
 
Great fun!
My son loves this movie. It's got just enough action to keep him entertained, but not too much as to scare him. He enjoys the creative characters and laughs throughout the whole thing. This movie is CONSTANTLY in the dvd player. He has the darn thing memorized!

robinrunner
teen, 14 years old
 
Complicated plot, but certainly will be loved.
At times this movie is too sci-fyish and hard to take in. But the monsters are lovable and laughs are spread all over. One monster says "boobies" which is kind of surprising because this is a movie made for kids. Theres one joke that parents will certainly role the'yre eyes at where a guy has to pull his pants down and get his butt scaned (nothing is shown), and in the same scene the president of the United States says that they should currently be in code brown because he needs to change his pants.

cdog nog vog ...
parent of 17 year old
 
no tweens but great for kids 4 and up
love it who ever says it's to sexul then they are being retarded

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
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