History YMMV / MonstersVsAliens

* TheyCopiedItSoItSucks: Much like other Creator/DreamWorksAnimation films, it literally feels like role-flipped version of ''WesternAnimation/TheIronGiant'' with elements from the ''ComicBook/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' franchise especially [[WesternAnimation/{{TMNT}} the 2007 computer-animated film adaptation of the superhero team]], having a similar plot featuring the government battles a giant robot (instead of centering on a giant robot that battles against the government in TIG); meanwhile, a human girl (Susan Murphy/Ginormica in [=MvA=], April O'Neil in TMNT) is hired by her mentor (General W.R. Monger in [=MvA=], Splinter in TMNT) to join four unlikely creatures (the monsters in [=MvA=], the ninja turtles in TMNT) with her to stop an evil threat (Gallaxhar in [=MvA=], Shredder/Yaoti in TMNT). Fortunately, [=DreamWorks=] stopped coping films from other animation studios starting in 2010 with ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon'', which considered a SpiritualSuccessor to ''WesternAnimation/LiloAndStitch'', which [=HtTYD=]'s directors previously worked at Creator/{{Disney}}.
** They believed that [=MvA=] also copies ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles'' due to involving a super-powered human girl battling against a giant robot.

* TheyCopiedItSoItSucks: Much like other Creator/DreamWorksAnimation films, it literally feels like role-flipped version of ''WesternAnimation/TheIronGiant'' with elements from the ''ComicBook/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' franchise especially [[WesternAnimation/{{TMNT}} the 2007 computer-animated film adaptation of the superhero team]], having a similar plot featuring the government battles a giant robot (instead of centering on a giant robot that battles against the government in TIG); meanwhile, a human girl (Susan Murphy/Ginormica in [=MvA=], April O'Neil in TMNT) is hired her mentor (General W.R. Monger in [=MvA=], Splinter in TMNT) to join four unlikely creatures (the monsters in [=MvA=], the ninja turtles in TMNT) with her to stop an evil threat (Gallaxhar in [=MvA=], Shredder/Yaoti in TMNT). Fortunately, [=DreamWorks=] stopped coping films from other animation studios starting in 2010 with ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon'', which considered a SpiritualSuccessor to ''WesternAnimation/LiloAndStitch'', which [=HtTYD=]'s directors previously worked at Creator/{{Disney}}.

* TheyCopiedItSoItSucks: Much like other Creator/DreamWorksAnimation films, It literally feels like role-flipped version of ''WesternAnimation/TheIronGiant'' with elements from the ''ComicBook/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' franchise especially [[WesternAnimation/{{TMNT}} the 2007 computer-animated film adaptation of the superhero team]], having a similar plot featuring the government battles a giant robot (instead of centering on a giant robot that battles against the government in TIG); meanwhile, a human girl (Susan Murphy/Ginormica in [=MvA=], April O'Neil in TMNT) is hired her mentor (General W.R. Monger in [=MvA=], Splinter in TMNT) to join four unlikely creatures (the monsters in [=MvA=], the ninja turtles in TMNT) with her to stop an evil threat (Gallaxhar in [=MvA=], Shredder/Yaoti in TMNT). Fortunately, [=DreamWorks=] stopped coping films from other animation studios starting in 2010 with ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon'', which considered a SpiritualSuccessor to ''WesternAnimation/LiloAndStitch'', which [=HtTYD=]'s directors previously worked at Creator/{{Disney}}.

* TheyCopiedItSoItSucks: Much like other Creator/DreamWorksAnimation films, It literally feels like role-flipped version of ''WesternAnimation/TheIronGiant'' with elements from the ''ComicBook/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' franchise especially [[WesternAnimation/{{TMNT}} the 2007 computer-animated film adaptation of the superhero team]], having a similar plot featuring a human girl (Susan Murphy in [=MvA=], April O'Neil in TMNT) joining four unlikely creatures (the monsters in [=MvA=], the ninja turtles in TMNT) to stop an evil threat (Gallaxhar in [=MvA=], Shredder/Yaoti in TMNT); meanwhile, the government battles a giant robot (instead of centering on a giant robot battles against the government in TIG). Fortunately, [=DreamWorks=] stopped coping films from other animation studios starting in 2010 with ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon'', which considered a SpiritualSuccessor to ''WesternAnimation/LiloAndStitch'', which [=HtTYD=]'s directors previously worked at Creator/{{Disney}}.

* TheyCopiedItSoItSucks: Much like other Creator/DreamWorksAnimation films, this film literally feels like role-flipped version of ''WesternAnimation/TheIronGiant'' with elements from the ''ComicBook/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' franchise especially [[WesternAnimation/{{TMNT}} the 2007 computer-animated film adaptation of the superhero team]], had a similar plot featuring a human girl (Susan Murphy in [=MvA=], April O'Neil in TMNT) joining four unlikely creatures (the monsters in [=MvA=], the ninja turtles in TMNT) to stop an evil threat (Gallaxhar in [=MvA=], Shredder/Yaoti in TMNT); meanwhile, the government battles a giant robot (instead of centering on a giant robot battles against the government in TIG). Fortunately, [=DreamWorks=] stopped coping films from other animation studios starting in 2010 with ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon'', which considered a SpiritualSuccessor to ''WesternAnimation/LiloAndStitch'', which [=HtTYD=]'s directors previously worked at Creator/{{Disney}}.

* TheyCopiedItSoItSucks: Much like other Creator/DreamWorksAnimation films, this film copies art-style and elements from ''WesternAnimation/TheIronGiant'' and ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles'', with the plot copied from the ''ComicBook/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' franchise, especially [[WesternAnimation/{{TMNT}} the 2007 computer-animated film adaptation of the superhero team]], both movies had a plot featuring a human girl (Susan Murphy in [=MvA=], April O'Neil in TMNT) joining four unlikely creatures (the monsters in [=MvA=], the ninja turtles in TMNT) to stop an evil threat (Gallaxhar in [=MvA=], Shredder/Yaoti in TMNT), but [=DreamWorks=] stopped coping films from other animation studios starting in 2010 with ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon'', which considered a SpiritualSuccessor to ''WesternAnimation/LiloAndStitch'', which [=HtTYD=]'s directors previously worked at Creator/{{Disney}}.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot: The film claims to be a B-Movie parody, but doesn't take the idea very far. If one replaced the smaller monsters with super powered humans, the film would mostly be unchanged.

* TheyCopiedItSoItSucks: Much like other DreamWorks films, this film copies art-style and elements from ''WesternAnimation/TheIronGiant'' and ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles'', with the plot copied from the ''ComicBook/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' franchise, especially [[WesternAnimation/{{TMNT}} the 2007 computer-animated film adaptation of the superhero team]], both movies had a plot featuring a human girl (Susan Murphy in [=MvA=], April O'Neil in TMNT) joining four unlikely creatures (the monsters in [=MvA=], the ninja turtles in TMNT) to stop an evil threat (Gallaxhar in [=MvA=], Shredder/Yaoti in TMNT), but DreamWorks stopped coping films from other animation studios starting in 2010 with ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon'', which considered a SpiritualSuccessor to ''WesternAnimation/LiloAndStitch'', which HtTYD's directors previously worked at Creator/Disney.

* TheyCopiedItSoItSucks: Much like other DreamWorks films, this film copies art-style and elements from ''Film/TheIronGiant'' and ''TheIncredibles'', with the plot copied from the ''ComicBook/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' franchise, especially [[WesternAnimation/{{TMNT}} the 2007 computer-animated film adaptation of the superhero team]], both movies had a plot featuring a human girl (Susan Murphy in [=MvA=], April O'Neil in TMNT) joining four unlikely creatures (the monsters in [=MvA=], the ninja turtles in TMNT) to stop an evil threat (Gallaxhar in [=MvA=], Shredder/Yaoti in TMNT), but DreamWorks stopped coping films from other animation studios starting in 2010 with ''Film/HowToTrainYourDragon'', which considered a SpiritualSuccessor to ''Film/LiloAndStitch'', which HtTYD's directors previously worked at Creator/Disney.

* TheyCopiedItSoItSucks: The film feels like a copy of ''ComicBook/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'', especially [[WesternAnimation/{{TMNT}} the 2007 computer-animated film adaptation of the superhero team]], having a similar plot having a human girl (Susan Murphy in [=MvA=], April O'Neil in TMNT) joining four unlikely creatures (the monsters in [=MvA=], the ninja turtles in TMNT) to stop an evil threat (Gallaxhar in [=MvA=], Shredder/Yaoti in TMNT).

* TheyCopiedItSoItSucks: The film feels like a copy of ''ComicBook/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'', especially [[WesternAnimation/{{TMNT}} the 2007 computer-animated film adaptation of the superhero team]], having a similar plot having a human girl (Susan Murphy in {=MvA=}, April O'Neil in TMNT) joining four unlikely creatures (the monsters in {=MvA=}, the ninja turtles in TMNT) to stop an evil threat (Gallaxhar in {=MvA=}, Shredder/Yaoti in TMNT).

* TheyCopiedItSoItSucks: The film feels like a copy of ''ComicBook/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'', especially [[WesternAnimation/{{TMNT}} the 2007 computer-animated film adaptation of the superhero team]], having a similar plot having a human girl (Susan Murphy in MvA, April O'Neil in TMNT) joining four unlikely creatures (the monsters in MvA, the ninja turtles in TMNT) to stop an evil threat (Gallaxhar in MvA, Yaoti in TMNT).

* CrazyIsCool: General W.R. Monger, who ran a secret monster prison for 50 years just in case aliens invaded, loves parachuting into random places whenever he feels like it, [[wedgie]]s uncooperative staff, flew a warplane into the path of a spaceship laser and almost dodged it and came prepared for a giant woman by equipping his army with a giant sedative syringe, a catapult to launch it and a trampoline.

* CrazyIsCool: General W.R. Monger, who ran a secret monster prison for 50 years just in case aliens invaded, loves parachuting into random places whenever he feels like it, wedgies uncooperative staff, flew a warplane into the path of a spaceship laser and almost dodged it and came prepared for a giant woman by equipping his army with a giant sedative syringe, a catapult to launch it and a trampoline.

* WhatAnIdiot: Derek dumps Susan for the sake of his career without considering the worldwide fame their continued relationship would bring him, not to mention the millions of dollars in book deals and movie rights. It's a very stupid decision from someone who's already been characterized as a selfish asshole. [[spoiler:He ''does'' put things together, sort of, when he forgives her and offers to take her back at the end. Of course, mentioning that he was offered a network slot if he got an exclusive interview in the next sentence made Susan doubt his sincerity]]. Letting that detail slip only reinforced his stupidity.

* ViewerGenderConfusion: [[spoiler: Insectosaurus]]. The movie calls the monster a "he", but a behind-the-scenes book lists the monster as a female. This has lead to a BrokenBase amongst the fans of the movie as to which is truly canon regarding the monster's gender.

** Link. The poor guy gets his butt kicked ''several'' times during the battle against the robot probe, and even gets knocked out ''after it's already been defeated.''

* AnnoyingVideoGameHelper: Dr Cockroach will constantly stop the game to explain the mechanics, even repeating himself a few times for moves that both Link and B.O.B. can do. He'll also ''politely'' belittle you if you don't get a score that meets his standards at the end of the level.

** And there's the president, where every moment involving him is one of the most hilarious things you'll ever see.

* CrazyAwesome: General W.R. Monger, who ran a secret monster prison for 50 years just in case aliens invaded, loves parachuting into random places whenever he feels like it, wedgies uncooperative staff, flew a warplane into the path of a spaceship laser and almost dodged it and came prepared for a giant woman by equipping his army with a giant sedative syringe, a catapult to launch it and a trampoline.

** The alien probe looks a lot like a minion from ''WesternAnimation/DespicableMe'' and ''WesternAnimation/{{Minions}}'' -- the latter of which [[spoiler:features a Minion on the probe’s scale]].
** During her initial growth, Susan claims everyone else in the room is shrinking. Figures she’d think that; [[Creator/PaulRudd her fiancée]] is Film/AntMan1, after all.

** During her initial growth, Susan claims everyone else in the room is shrinking. Figures she’d think that; [[Creator/PaulRudd her fiancée]] is Film/AntMan, after all.

** During her initial growth, Susan claims everyone else in the room is shrinking. Figures she’d think that; [[Creator/PaulRudd her fiancée]] is Film/{{Ant-Man|2015}}, after all.

** The alien probe looks a lot like a minion from ''WesternAnimation/DespicableMe''.

* CultClassic: Has slid into this as of later years; it's not as well-known or iconic as ''Franchise/{{Shrek}}'' or ''Franchise/KungFuPanda'', but it's still a fairly beloved movie in its own right.

* ValuesResonance: Ginormica makes for a rare female lead in an action-adventure film not explicitly marketed towards girls or made with that as a selling point. By the end of the film she has lost and rejected her only love interest, while her actual desire to get married and settle down is never treated as a flaw for her to overcome. Further, once she gets in on the action, characters are only surprised because of her previous reluctance rather than her gender.

* AnnoyingVideoGameHelper: Dr Cockroach will constantly stop the game to explain the mechanics, even repeating himself a few times for moves that both Link and B.o.B. can do. He'll also ''politely'' belittle you if you don't get a score that meets his standards at the end of the level.
* {{Narm}}: For some reason the characters ''always'' refer to Link as ''The'' Missing Link, no matter how awkward it sounds in context.
** The dialogue abounds with BuffySpeak. While funny at first, it never lets up, and it becomes obvious when the writers just couldn’t think of anything for the characters to say.
* SugarWiki/NoProblemWithLicensedGames: A surprisingly decent action platformer that does its best to take advantage of the film’s material, with some good variety between the main playable monsters. Though the story does follow a repetitive formula, leading to a lot of the samey environments, and has a lot of the gameplay ideas are interesting but undeveloped, the writing and graphics are very faithful to the film. Definitely an A for effort, if a C for execution.
* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter: Although she is the protagonist, Ginormica’s skating stages are the least involved and the least frequent of all the playstyles, giving her the least to do.

* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot: Although the San Francisco mission is the film’s SignatureScene (to the point of inspiring Ginormica’s entire gameplay style), there’s only one level actually taking place in it, while the rest is set inside the Robot Probe itself. Further, destroying the robot is meant to be a turning point in her character development, but in the game Ginormica doesn’t even fight it herself.
** Most of the level’s taking place inside giant robots. While the ColossusClimb makes for some exciting set pieces, the repetitive environments gradually outstay their welcome.

!!Tropes for the movie

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** Katie and Cuthbert, the OneSceneWonder [[GenderFlip role reversal]] teens who encounter the aliens early in the movie.

* ShipToShipCombat: The fandom is a bit split when it comes to who Susan gets paired with. Given the lack of TokenRomance within the film, many tend to gravitate towards Dr. Cockroach/Susan since he takes an active role in trying to reduce her size and they seem to converse the most (also, they're the only two monsters who used to be human). But Link/Susan has its share of fans as well, considering that Link's whole deal is that he chases beautiful babes anyway. Of course, being an animated comedy superhero film, the majority of viewers and fans never considered shipping anyone in it.