Monsters, Inc. (2001)
We think they are scary, but really we scare them!
Starring: John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Mary Gibbs, Steve Buscemi, James Coburn, Jennifer Tilly, Bob Peterson, John Ratzenberger, Frank Oz
Director: Pete Doctor, David Silverman, Lee Unkrich
Running Time: 88 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: U
Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
On DVD John Goodman voices James P Sullivan or 'Sulley', a big furry monster with teeth and claws. His partner is Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal), a monster that is almost entirely one enormous eyeball, and the two of them work at Monsters, Inc. This is the power company of the city of Monstropolis - at Monsters, Inc. the monsters travel through doors matched to those in children's' bedrooms and scare the children in order to make them scream. The screams are collected as the source of the city's power. Sulley is the number one scream-generator at Monsters, Inc. as well as being popular and respected by everyone except his work rival Randall Boggs (Steve Buscemi). Mike basks somewhat in Sulley's glory, handling his paperwork and changing his collecting cylinders.
Sulley and Mike's successful careers at Monsters, Inc. are suddenly under threat when they accidentally let a human child into the monster world. The problem is that monsters are terrified of children, and anything associated in any way with children is banned in Monstropolis. The little girl is called Boo (Mary Gibbs), and Sulley and Mike will have to find a way to hide her while they try to figure out how to get her home. This is difficult in the presence of the sneaky and suspicious Randall, who has evil plans of his own.
This is a fine animated film with plenty of action, humour and a fair bit of emotion. The story is fresh and interesting, and is also extremely intelligent - it doesn't succumb to talking down to its audience. The animation is sharp, colourful, and beautifully done with plenty of attention to detail, so that the furry monsters really do look furry. Boo is charming and sweet, and perfectly voiced by the little girl who plays her. If the film has one flaw, it is that on some occasions it seems to be trying to be cuter than it needs to be.
DVD Extras: Review copy is the 2 disc Collector's Edition, which has an outstanding collection of features.
Extras: 'Finding Nemo' - look at Disney/Pixar's next release, Filmmakers' commentary, Animated films: 'For the Birds' and 'Mike's New Car', Production tour - documentary collection looking at all aspects of the film, 'New Monster Adventures', 'Behind the Screams', 'Orientation'.
It's Got: Plenty of laughs and some wonderfully appealing characters.
It Needs: To occasionally make less of an effort to be cute.
Alternatives: Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Shrek
Summary: This is a great fun film that will please adults as much as children and is just as entertaining on repeat viewings - in fact, it seems even better the second time around.
Review by Andrea Chee
Review Date: 17th May 2003
External Links
Monsters, Inc. at the IMDB
Comments4 Comments |
| i thopught it was great, |
| Comment by:- anonymous | | 05 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| i was about 2 minutes into the film but i got distracted by my wall and decided to watch the paint dry on it, it was much more enjoyable i wouldnt let my 3 year old son watch this, he would rather watch porn |
| Comment by:- heffamomma | | 05 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| moonsters inc is well funny! i love mike! |
| Comment by:- Anonymous | | 07 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| This precusor to The Incredibles is one of the best animated films of the decade. Pixar and Disney create a knockout combo... |
| Comment by:- gilletbd1977 | www.thedvdreport.com/dvd_revie... | 27 June 2005 | ip: logged |
