Monsters vs Aliens – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Monsters vs Aliens

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2009

62%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A 50-foot bride teams up with misfit monsters to fight aliens—fun premise, middling execution, heavy on the crude jokes.

73%

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Monsters vs Aliens

movie

PG, 2009

62%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A 50-foot bride teams up with misfit monsters to fight aliens—fun premise, middling execution, heavy on the crude jokes.

73%

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Screenwise Verdict

Monsters vs Aliens is fine. That's the verdict. It's a perfectly serviceable animated adventure that checks the boxes—teamwork, self-acceptance, colorful monsters—but doesn't rise above mid-tier DreamWorks fare.

The 73% critic score vs. 59% audience score tells you everything: reviewers appreciated the craft and voice talent, but regular viewers found it kind of... meh. The crude humor and stereotypes feel dated even for 2009, and the story never quite commits to being clever or heartfelt—it just exists in that safe middle zone.

If your 8-year-old is home sick and wants something animated on Netflix, sure. But this isn't going into the family rotation alongside Incredibles or Spider-Verse. It's background noise that happens to have a decent message about embracing your weird. The 2.9 Letterboxd rating (out of 5) from film nerds says it all—this one's already fading from cultural memory.

Age Fit

Best for kids 7-12 who can handle cartoon action violence and aren't spooked by alien invasions. Younger kids (5-6) might need a parent nearby to buffer scary moments. Teens and adults will likely find it forgettable—this isn't Shrek-level rewatchability.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Promotes teamwork, self-acceptance, and embracing differences through Susan's transformation journey. However, relies heavily on crude humor, negative stereotypes, and cartoon-type characters that undercut the positive messaging. The 'jilted bride becomes giant monster' setup and some relationship dynamics feel dated and shallow. Pacing is frenetic in typical DreamWorks fashion, which can feel chaotic rather than balanced.

Imaginative

A homage to 1950s B-movie sci-fi that mostly recycles familiar tropes rather than inventing new ones. The monster designs are fun (gelatinous blob, cockroach scientist, fish-man) but the story follows predictable beats. The 3D visual effects were impressive for 2009 but the creative concept itself is more pastiche than original. Doesn't particularly invite kids to build or explore ideas beyond the screen—it's a passive watch.

Safe

PG-rated with appropriate warnings for its content level. Common Sense Media rates it 7+ due to sci-fi action violence, scary alien battles, and occasional jump scares that could unsettle younger viewers (under 5-7). Mild profanity present but limited. Crude humor throughout but nothing shocking or traumatic. Australian reviewers recommend parental guidance for ages 5-13 due to 'violence, scary scenes and themes.' No gore, nudity, or sexual content beyond wedding-day setup. Pretty standard animated action fare—you know what you're getting.

Enriching

The core message about self-acceptance and finding strength in being different has merit, and teamwork themes are present. However, the execution is shallow—positive ideas are delivered through crude jokes and stereotypes rather than meaningful character development. Limited cognitive challenge or skill-building. Some discussion potential around embracing differences, but the film doesn't dig deep enough to provide substantial ethical or personal growth opportunities. More cotton candy than nutrition.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Promotes self-acceptance and the idea that being different can be your superpower—Susan literally becomes stronger when she stops trying to shrink herself
Fast-paced animated action keeps kids 7-12 engaged, with colorful visuals and monster designs that are goofy rather than genuinely scary
Solid voice cast (Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie) brings energy to the characters
The 1950s sci-fi homage might spark curiosity about classic monster movies for older kids who appreciate the references

⚠

What to Watch For

Sci-fi action violence and alien battles with occasional jump scares—Common Sense Media and Australian reviewers agree it's too intense for kids under 5-7
Crude humor and negative stereotypes throughout that can feel low-brow and dated, even if the core message is positive
Mild profanity scattered in (rated B- by Parent Previews)
The whole 'ditching your shallow fiancé' subplot might need context for younger viewers who won't get the relationship dynamics

Conversation Starters

"Susan literally grows into her power—when have you felt like you had to make yourself smaller to fit in? What would it feel like to just take up space?"
"The monsters are locked away because people think they're scary or weird. Have you ever felt judged for being different?"
"Why do you think the military kept the monsters secret instead of asking them for help sooner?"
"If you could have one monster superpower from the movie, which would you pick and why?"

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