Monsters, Inc

 

I should be cynical and criticise Disney Pixar for double-dipping on Monsters, Inc just weeks before they release the sequel Monsters University but as I didn't see it in the cinema the first time around, meh, I don’t care.

The only option was 3D but as I always carry a pair of 3D glasses in my bag there was no extra cost incurred.  Luck favours the prepared.

PLOT:  James P Sullivan (John Goodman) is, with the help of his best friend Mike, (Billy Crystal) the top Scarer at Monsters, Inc.  The problem is kids are becoming harder to scare which means that the energy powered by children’s screams is scarce.  After a stray door is left on the factory floor a toddler sneaks through and wreaks havoc around Monstropolis.  Sulley and Mike have to return Boo through her door before the authorities find her… Meanwhile, Sulley’s closest rival on the scare floor Randal (Steve Buscemi) has developed a new way to extract screams….END PLOT

The idea of monsters scaring children is hardly new but Pixar puts a fresh twist on it by making the monsters terrified of the kids that they are trying to scare.  The monsters' fear of children is taken as far as to parody the CDC with having the CDA create mass hysteria with their zero tolerance protocols. 

Monsters, Inc has plenty of heart with Sulley becoming a father figure to the ridiculously cute Boo although the story doesn’t come anywhere close to the emotional punches thrown by the unbeatable UP.

In typical Pixar fashion there is lots of humour which ranges from slapstick to those little one-liners that adults will appreciate.

Monsters, Inc was always colourful but seeing it on the big screen for the first time I didn’t realise just how gorgeous it looked.  There isn’t a dud scene in the entire film as there is always something to look at even in the background.

The factory door chase is surprisingly stressful and the final showdown between Sulley and Mr Waternoose (James Coburn) is quite dark.  Luckily for all there is a happy ending.

The 3D aspect of Monster’s, Inc was almost non-existent.  There were no pop out moments but it didn’t seem to add any depth either which was more disappointing.  There was great potential with the door chase scene to add some splashes of 3D but they didn’t avail of the opportunity.

John Goodman as Sulley is probably the best example of voice casting around.  Goodman’s booming voice should create one big scary monster but in reality he is one big softy. 

Billy Crystal and Steve Buscemi are also very capable in their supporting roles but it is the young Mary Gibbs as Boo that steals the show with her natural cuteness.

Monsters, Inc is a fantastic film but for reasons unknown I always overlook it when it comes to any debate about animation.  If you have the option of seeing the film in 2D you should take it for nostalgia's sake but overall it just is missing that special something to make it one of the greats.  Monsters, Inc gets an 8/10.