Click here to hear Reese Witherspoon and Seth Rogen
That was her response to me Friday when asked about the number of jokes about Fresno in her new animated feature film "Monsters vs. Aliens." The film opens Friday. Witherspoon provides the voice of Susan, a Modesto woman who turns into a giant when she gets hit by a meteor.
She and co-star Seth Rogen, the voice of B.O.B. in the film, are quick to add that Fresno comes out pretty well in the movie. It is San Francisco that takes the brunt of the alien attack.
Sure, the Golden Gate Bridge takes a hit. But, there are no jokes about the city. There are plenty about Fresno.
Early in the movie, Susan is talking with her future husband Derek (Paul Rudd) just moments before their wedding. He's the weatherman at a television station in Modesto. Their plan had been to marry and then move to Paris.
Derek tells Susan he has something better in mind for them. They are moving to Fresno.
Susan asks Derek in what universe is Fresno as good as Paris. The conversation goes on for a few moments. This becomes a running joke as Fresno is mentioned a couple more times in the animated film.
Producer Lisa Stewart explains why Fresno became the punchline. They had always wanted the main fight scene between the monsters and the aliens to take place in San Francisco. They wanted Susan to live in a small town that was not to far away from San Francisco. So, they picked Modesto.
Stewart added they just thought it sounded funny for someone to want to move from Modesto to Fresno.
It did get a big laugh when I saw the movie.
I'm super stoked to see the film and see the Fresno jokes :)
You’re going to laugh, but I related to the animated Reese W. in “Monsters v. Aliens!”
Hey, I’m a big girl and I married a Dinuba boy in love with Reedley Beach whose only aspiration was to move to the big city of Fresno. I, on the other hand, have been to Paris not once, but three times. And, speaking of hands, Reese’s animated five-finger masterpiece reaches out of the screen into your face in this incredible Wizard-of-Oz-like, animated tour de force. I remember the first time I saw the chase of the Jedi in Star Wars; seeing—no, being a part of—the 3-D last night in “Monsters v. Aliens” was just as memorable. I have never seen anything like it. And, not since “The Thomas Crown Affair” has the City by the Bay been host to a world-class chase scene like this one. If a movie is only as good as its villain, check out this: can you imagine cloning Octomom? Now, THAT”S scary! This Fresno mom admits I didn’t want to go see another silly monster movie. But I’ll come clean and confess I got a zillion belly laughs from this one. Big belly laughs.
P.S. Bookish Belle still went with a man who mistreated her. Ariel gave up her legs and voice for a man. Susan finds she always had her strength within her and rejects the narcissistic jerk. You gotta love a strong heroine. Two stubby thumbs up!
--------------Patricia Brown, Esq., Fresno
I'm super stoked too.......yawn.
We are quickly becoming the armpit of California.
I agree with the yawn...ho-humm...jokes about Fresno...how original...kind of like a middle-schooler's essay that starts, "Today I'm going to tell you about...".
Fresno as a punchline was something Johnny Carson did 20+ years ago! Still, I love 3D movies and will go see this.
Wow! That will be so cool for the kids here in Fresno. I know my 4 & 5 year old think it is so cool to live here in the country in Fresno, California! Hope we get a chance to see the movie. I wasn't sure about the movie but now that I know there are Fresno jokeswell, that changes eveything LOL!!!
I like how there's so many cows in Fresno.
They keep them in a shed at McKinley and Blackstone I think.
wow i cant wait to see this movie. Go Fresno!
Buddys favourite "Fresno" reference is from Con Air!......via the sky!
The advanced screening last night was great! The movies is kid friendly and the fact that Fresno is mentioned throughout the movie should be heavily noted in order to bring in more local movie traffic. I didn't know where to leave my review! Help me Susan!
I would like to say thank you to the Fresno Bee for giving me these tickets to watch an excellent movie. Just what my family needed, a great movie for some family time together..Thanks again.A must see for everyone of all ages.
Great movie, a must see for for the whole family. Everyone truly enjoyed the preview Thurs nite.Thank you Fresno Bee for the tickets.Great time with the family.