Monsters vs Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space

I did enjoy the movie Monsters vs. Aliens, so naturally I did want to see Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space. I found this very entertaining and perfect to go with the movie. Generally it is well-plotted and engaging, even if there is the odd spot where it does feel predictable or thin. It looks beautiful especially in the colours which are bright and colourful, and the music is jaunty and rousing. The characters are still as likable as they were in the movie, and the writing is witty and funny, right from the dialogue, the physical jokes to the references to adult movies, making it accessible to adults as well as children.

All in all, well worth watching and very entertaining. 8/10 Bethany Cox

I quite enjoyed the film Monsters V Aliens, even if Pixar's continual "making it look easy" performance means that Dreamworks generally look like they are falling short of the mark even when they make enjoyable films. This Halloween special came on that is connected to the film and I figured I'd give it a go because normally the Pixar shorts that use characters from the movie are very funny as they are shorter and able just to play on the humour of the characters.

Mutant Pumpkins etc does this to a point and, when it does it is really quite funny. BOB frozen in a doorway unsure of what to say was very funny indeed as one example. The action itself is all big and silly and will be enjoyed by children (who may or may not get the "don't eat too much candy" message that is sort of in there) but the problem with this is that there is too much scene setting. Not so much in terms of the narrative but just in terms of having "seasonal" stuff in there. Where I wanted quick-fire jokes I instead got Halloween themed stuff that seemed in there because it was a Halloween special, as opposed to being in there because it was funny.

It is funny enough to bother with though – particularly if you enjoyed the characters from the film. Wisely BOB and Dr Cockroach get a good bit of material each since they are the funniest characters, but others also are given time that they don't really justify by being funny. Glad I saw it without adverts padding it out to a longer run time though as it is best enjoyed as short as possible so that it doesn't have to do too much carrying. Amusing fare but nothing particularly great about it despite a handful of good laughs.

When I watched this I wasn't sure if I had been to harsh with the feature length movie (only gave it 5, which means, I though it had more potential than it explored ... but still not a bad movie). But another reviewer/user here stated that he thought the short movie is better than the original movie too ...

Hopefully they will continue from this short, when (and if) they make another feature length movie. The jokes are good, it is a very well rounded story. Of course it only really works if you have seen the characters grow (quite literally in on case) in the movie. Watch if you can, during Halloween season!

I loved the one I saw on TV years ago. I just watched a version on youtube and none of the mutant pumpkins say La Loo Lem Boo Lay! What is up with that? Those are the best parts!!!!

I was a fan of the Monsters VS Aliens movie. Despite it's predictable storyline and it's lack of character development, it was an entertaining flick with great animation, likable characters with enthusiastic voice work, nice references to other sci-fi movies, and nice humor along with some heart-pounding sci-fi action. So, when I heard that Dreamworks Animation made a Halloween special to this film, I became so excited and went to see it online and to my surprise, I was impressed by it.

The storyline and concept, although thin and predictable, was at least engaging and well-plotted, the characters are as likable as they were in the first movie along with some great voice work and the music is rousing. The jokes from the writing are witty and funny. Not to mention it's nice references to adult horror movies which would make this more appealing to adults as much as it is to kids and the dialog is efficient.

Overall, not excellent, but a great Halloween special to an underrated movie from Dreamworks Animation. Thumbs up!