DVD REVIEWS.

Byline: GRAHAMYOUNG

MONSTERS vs ALIENS (PG) Verdict: HHHHH THE latest blockbuster animation has one of the most cinematic openings to any film since the Spielberg-produced animation Monster House (2006).Taglined 'Ooze gonna save us?', it will be as enjoyably scary for youngsters as it is funny for adults (nuclear missile or cafe latte, Mr President?). It's also as energetic as it is imaginative, retaining direction for longer than this year's Oscar-winning WALL-E which collapsed in the second half. The fun begins with cute human faces and a wedding that will help to keep women and young girls hooked. Set to marry the weatherman of her dreams, Susan (Reese Witherspoon) is struck by a meteorite. Suddenly, she turns into a 50ft giant who will soon be renamed Ginormica by the government. Welcome to Land of the Giants meets King Kong as Susan gathers Derek in her hands. Available to buy for pounds 19.99 (two-disc pounds 24.99 / Blu-ray pounds 26.99), the DVD extras include three deleted scenes - Monger's Plan, War Room Turns On Monsters and If You Don't Know.

LE DONK AND SCOR-ZAY-ZEE (15) Verdict: HHHHI AWARD-winning Uttoxeter director Shane Meadows made this improvised mockumentary in just five days for less than the cost of a top-of-the-range sports car. And it's more than good enough to get its money back on DVD, a format which will render the 71-minute running time less of a problem than it might be to some at the cinema. Meadows (This is England) devised this mockumentary with Burton-on-Trent star Paddy Considine (In America / The Bourne Ultimatum) and then literally shot it on the hoof. It tells the story of a roadie named Donk who takes Nottingham's white rapper Scorzayzee on a road trip that he hopes will be a life-changing experience for both of them. By turns moving and funny and complete with the 'Arcticle Monkeys', Le Donk proves that you don't need multi-million budgets to make something entertaining. The film is also available to buy for pounds 15.99.

GRAHAM YOUNG