APRIL 2009 | blackfilm.com | MONSTERS VS. ALIENS

Featuring the voices of Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett and Keifer Sutherland, 'Monsters Vs. Aliens' starts off with intrigue, builds up with some fun suspense, but, like a house of cards, the film falls flat and fails to generate a spark at the end. While the 3-D effects may be the ingredient to lure parents to bring the kids out, the second half of the film will have them returning the glasses.

On the day of her wedding, bride-to-be Susan (Witherspoon) is struck by an asteroid that leaves her unhurt. The only damage is that the radiation causes her to grow into a 50-foot woman. Seen as a monster, the government, led by Gen. W.R Monger (Sutherland), captures Susan and brings her to an underground location where other monsters have been held over the last 50 years.

These creatures include the scientist-turned-creature Dr. Cockroach (Laurie), the half-ape-half-fish the Missing Link (Arnett) and the blob B.O.B (Rogen). When an alien lands on Earth (Rainn Wilson), the president (Stephen Colbert) is persuaded to let the monsters loose to fight the alien and save the world.

While parents may recognize that the monsters are an ode to 'The Blob' and 'Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman,' the kids won't have a clue. They will be enchanted just by the 3-D experience. Wilson's villain is not nearly as menacing as those in animated films such as 'The Incredibles' or 'Meet the Robinsons.' It's a shame that with the 3-D label attached to the film, it isn't more eye-popping.