Monsters vs. Aliens Movie Premiere

posted by Michael Brito on March 25, 2009

(See pics from the movie premiere below)

Imagine if you will a paddle ball on a rubber band shooting out and the entire movie-going audience shifting to the right to avoid getting hit.  When Jeffrey Katzenberg said that Intru™ 3D helped deliver immerse storytelling he wasn't joking.  I had the opportunity to take my 5-year-old son to the premiere for Monsters vs. Aliens this past week end.  He sat through the entire movie, first time ever, that should tell you something right there. 

Let me start with the movie premiere.  After deftly explaining to my son why the 2-mile line of press wasn't taking our pictures, we were equipped with 3D glasses, popcorn, cotton candy, foam B.O.B figures and soda cups with monster bobble heads.  This was merchandising heaven - I can't wait until it hits the stores!  Actually I can, but Noah is pretty excited for some Monsters vs. Aliens fruit snacks, pajamas, cereal, t-shirts, Happy Meals* and three thousand other items.  I better start saving now.

Jeffrey Katzenberg kicked off the event with an introduction to the movie and then invited the cast up for a bow.  To everyone's glee, many of the cast were there including Reese Witherspoon, Rainn Wilson, Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie, Kiefer Sutherland, Will Arnett and a few others that I couldn't identify from the balcony.  We all sang Happy Birthday to Reese too.  I think that means that I can say I attended Reese Witherspoon's birthday party.  That's for a different post...

If you're looking for an innovative, visual experience, I suggest you see the movie when it releases on Friday, March 27th.  Hats off to the writers as well for churning out an entertaining storyline.  From start-to-finish the imagery was engaging and truly felt a part of the story - it flat-out made it more fun to watch.  Flying asteroids, exploding spaceships and collapsing bridges never looked so real and make you feel a part of the animated action.

Prior to the movie I was wondering how great the experience really would be.  Would it look gimmicky?  Did it feel gratuitous and really not enhance the story?  Simply stated, the storyline was fantastic and the 3D put it over-the-top.  Images popped out from the screen, but as part of the story, not just because they could.  Lisa Stewart, a producer of the film, commented that they exercised some control with the 3D in making the movie.  I can't wait to see them go a little crazy and I can't wait to see how we progress down this 3D path. 

This post was written by a colleauge, Melissa who attended the Monsters vs. Aliens Movie Premiere.