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Monsters vs. Aliens

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 4, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

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

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Teamwork and determination save the day here, but there's also a disrespect of authority figures who are shown as stupid and thoughtless.
  • 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.
 

What to watch out for

  • 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 an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Monsters vs. Aliens

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.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • 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?

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Our Members Say

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  •  I think this movie is

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See all 101 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title iffy for age 6 and give it 2.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    NOT SOOOO GREAT

    This movie was not soooo great. But that's just because it wasnt my type of movie but younger kids like say age 6 and up will love the humor and animated vilonce (which is pritty much age appropreat)

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Kentucky
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Laughed my head off! Some scary scenes for kids 6- But is very good!

  3. I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0

    For any age but need parent to comfort

    It did not have a message to it nor was it educational but it was fun to watch and I think everyone, any age, will enjoy it. Although I said it was for ages 6+ I think any age can watch it as long as children under 6 has a parent with them to comfort them through it. It's funny but some scenes may scare young children as the fight scene scared my sister who is 6 going on 7.

  4. I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Great Girl Hero

    The look of the monsters and aliens might be too scary for younger kids (under seven) or those with active imaginations, but my usually sensitive girls weren't turned off at all. We liked the way Susan/Ginormica gains confidence and starts to trust in her own abilities, with or without the aid of glowing green stuff from space! There were plenty of references to the classics of sci-fi, which made Papa happy. The depiction of friendship was great, and the message is clear that her parents love her no matter what, and she doesn't need a man to achieve her dreams - true friends are more than enough.

  5. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 3.0

    7 year old son loved it, went to see it twice. the fight scene was a little intense, but not too scary.

  6. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

  7. I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

  8. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in New Hampshire
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Monsters vs. Aliens awesome for 10-12 year olds

    I loved it so, much. I thought it wasa hillarious, funny, and very entertainining. I loved the part when The missing link sayss"Insectisourus your a...butterfly". I thught that was so, funny.I laughed so hard during the movie I almost fell out of my seat.

  9. I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0

    Glad we saw it!

    Loved it! We laughed through much of it. Eleven year old daughter thought she was too old for it, but she enjoyed it too. My kids don't like theaters, so we rented it, but my husband and I would have enjoyed seeing it in the theater.

  10. I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 2.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    well it is really inaprproite i just recomend parental gudence

  11. I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 2.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    well it is really inaprproite i just recomend parental gudence

  12. I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Yeah I would see it just cause

    This movie was good. And it has a positive message. I mean, it even has some good role models. But I found my-self getting sleepy. It just could not give it my full attention.

  13. I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    it was cute

    my friend and i just wanted to c a movie and this was the only one playing that looked good so we saw it and i thought it was cute it had a good message it was funny and it had a nice plot so yeah pretty good movie

  14. I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Monsters vs. Aliens is funny, fun for the whole family,and one of the best animated films of the year so far...

    Monsters vs. Aliens a good movie to see with the family. This movie is funny and it mostly has some mild action but mostly the action is comical and kind of funny. This movie is also in 3-D.If you don't see this movie in theaters you can rent it on DVD Tues.Sept. 29th, 2009. This movie is something fun for the whole family and it is also funny and one of the best animated films of the year . Also it is one of the best films from Dreamworks Animations since Madagascar.I gave this film a four star rating .It is Two Thumbs Up!

  15. I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    ok movie

    my mom loves this movie i dont like the movie i just like the charecters do not see movie in 3d to overwhelming i was lucky i didnt see it in 3d

  16. I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    good for smaller children

    This movie is good for smaller kids like 6 - 9. It does have a lot of fighting and some violent parts with explosions and stuff. It has some great messages in it and some role models. It is a well rounded movie but if you see it in 3-D you need to probally be 7 it is a little more scary.

  17. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Arkansas
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

  18. I rate this title on for age 3 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Family fun.

    I have no problem with cartoon violence because I tell my children it is fake. My 3 year old wasn't scared at all. My 5 year old step son who doesn't live with us and his mom has different rules, was scared by the blob character. The positive message is accept yourself for who you are.

  19. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Looks Great, But Where's the Story?

    I love the characters and the voice actors, but the movie is actually pretty boring. There are some funny/clever moments, but the 3D is really the only memorable thing about it. Mild sexual humor and LOTS of noise. I got a really bad headache... Props to Steven Colbert for playing the president.

  20. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Hawaii
    I rate this title off for age 6 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    My 6 year old was overwhelmed! Had to leave.

    I just took my 6 year old to the theater to see this one. After 1/2 hour we had to leave because he was tucked up in a ball telling me he was scared and wanted to go. I'm a bit surprised because he is fine with movies like the Incredibles, but this one shook him from the beginning. Just too much gun violence and big crashes/explosions.

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