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Monsters, Inc. Customer Reviews (40 - 42 of 85 Reviews)

Charming romp
Ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggedy beasties. Or, perhaps just the last of the three. For anyone who has heard bumps in the night, "Monsters Inc" will be an entertaining animated romp, by the talented people who made "Bug's Life" and "Toy Story." With cute animation and a fast-paced, humorous storyline, it's a treat for young and old.

The monster metropolis of Monstropolis is powered by the screams of frightened children, which are gathered every night by specially-trained Scarers that pop out of closets. Despite the power shortage, the most revered Scarer is James P. "Sully" Sullivan (who resembles The Beast with a bad blue dye job), accompanied by his talkative pal Mike Wazowski (who resembles a giant green grape with one big eyeball, and who sounds remarkably like Armin Shimerman). Sully works at Monsters Inc. power plant, and is close to breaking the all-time scare record -- if he can beat the poisonous lizard Scarer Randall (who resembles a carnivorous chameleon).

But one night, Sully finds a door to a child's room left activated -- and inadvertently lets a little toddler (whom he calls "Boo") into the monster world. She sets off a panic, as children are considered to be toxic and dangerous. Mike and Sulley find themselves in a race to return Boo back to her own world -- but find out about a dangerous plot more insidious than any ordinary monster suspects.

It's a cute "what if" concept -- what if monsters weren't frightening? What if scaring kids were their job? What if closets were really portals to another world? Fortunately the concept never runs away from the moviemakers; by treating it normally, they keep it from seeming stupid or overworked. The portrayal of monsters as ordinary guys going to work every day in a city full of monsters -- all shapes. sizes, textures and levels of furriness -- is well-done and never banged into the viewer's head. And the monsters themselves are hilariously done -- a jelly-like monster who slips through a grate. The fuzzy-faced Adorable Snowman. The undulating serpentine motions of Randall. A sluglike janitor who mops the floor while leaving a trail of slime behind him. Monster kids jumping rope with the very long tongue of their playmate.

The characters are delightful. Sully (John Goodman) and Mike (Billy Crystal) are well suited to their roles: The big quiet guy and the little self-absorbed sidekick, who has a heart of gold beneath his grating voice. Randall (Steve Buscemi) is deliciously, delightfully bad -- there's no misunderstanding, he's just nasty. "Boo" (Mary Gibbs) is remarkably well-done, very similar in motions and baby-talk to a real toddler (parents will wince when she begins to cry). Mr. Waternoose (James Coburn) is a multilayered character, with realistic motives. And Celia (Jennifer Tilly) is Mike's bewildered Medusa-haired girlfriend, who comes through in a pinch.

It's not perfect -- there's a draggy section in the middle; the plot lags between the two encounters with the Scream Extractor, and picks up after that. And the movie wouldn't be worth it if the special effects were all there were. The storyline is simple but not simplistic, quick-paced and full of extremely funny dialogue ("I'm so romantic, I could marry myself!") as well as physical comedy (mostly provided by Mike). The technical aspects and additions are just as good. Not only does the film allow you to see it in either widescreen or fullscreen, but it also allows viewers to hear the commentary from the filmmakers as the film progresses.

And, in the manner of the new "Lord of the Rings" movie," there is an second disc of extra stuff. It's too extensive and complex to fully summarize, but there is a lot to see. Younger kids might not be interested in most of it, but older kids and adults will definitely like it. There's a lighthearted tour of Pixar and the people who work there; interviews with the talented cast; explanations about basic computer graphics, storyboards, and evolving storylines. It's fascinating to hear how complex things like Sully's fur and Boo's T-shirt were made to look as real as possible, how Monstropolis was designed, and the earlier incarnations of the various characters (such as how originally Sully had tentacles instead of legs). There is a cute music video, a "Boo's Door Game," monster biographies, and much more.

But the best of the extras are the animation shorts. There is one specially created for this movie: "Mike's New Car," in which Mike shows off his wonderful new car to Sully -- except the car causes a lot more trouble than they expected. Oscar Award-winning "For the Birds," a short unrelated to the movie, is also included. It's a cute, funny little film about twittery egg-shaped little birds sitting on a power line, and the dorky heron that intrudes on them. And, most hilariously, there is a section of "Monsters Inc." bloopers (including a cameo by a "Toy Story" star), ending with the musical play "Put That Thing Back Where It Came From Or So Help Me," performed by Mike and the other monsters.

It's a fun animated romp -- kids can enjoy the whimsical plot, and parents can chuckle over the use of "Working Joe" workplace. Well-animated, well-written, funny and cute and packed with informative and funny extras. Definitely worth the price, and worthy of being seen again and again.

"C'mon BRUSH, BRUSH, Scary Monsters do not have plaque.."
What a funny movie! This is true "family" entertainment, for everyone will enjoy it from Mom to Dad to Kid. Monsters Inc. is the leading source of energy for monster land. The premise is simple: Monsters scare children, when the children scream it is bottled as useable energy for monster land. James Sullivan (Goodman) is Monsters Inc's top scarer and his sidekick Mike (Crystal) is his assistant. Sully is about to break the All-Time Scare record when a child enters monster land. The rest is trying to return Boo (the child) back to her door and get her safely home. This movie is flat-out hilarious and not just for kids. Billy Crystal steals the show as Mike and has some great one liners. Goodman is too comfortable playing the lovable oaf Sully. James Cobern and Steve Buscemi round out the cast as Henry Waternoose (CEO of Monsters Inc.) and Randall Boggs (the villain) respectively. Overall, a wild ride and destined to become a Disney/Pixar classic. PLEASE MAKE A SEQUEL!! Highly Recommended.

SCARY...how this genre isn't close to done nor perfected.
MONSTERS, INC. (G) DISNEY/PIXAR
Voices of: BILLY CRYSTAL, JOHN GOODMAN, STEVE BUSCEMI,
JENNIFER TILLY (& MORE).
***1/2 - FILM
***** - DVD

I just bought the DVD, watched it and can't help but sell-all-out on just how well done the film is and just how special the DVD edition was. I had heard mixed reviews from everybody; People who's taste I trust, people who hate movies like this one, and others who can't decide whether they enjoyed it or not; when the movie first came out in theaters.

My opinion:
I liked everything about both TOY STORY films, didn't care much for A BUG'S LIFE's story/plot though I still enjoyed the genre of completely computer composed cinema, but as for MONSTERS, INC., I am completely sold on Disney's wizards at PIXAR and permanently at that...they are the one's responsible for everyone else's computer/CGI movie-toons $ucce$$.
SHREK & ICE AGE <--- (which I've yet to see) are feeding off PIXAR's unique style & it's popularity due to critics and audience approval at the box office.
All of them are great to watch and especially interesting to see how they are put together. The time consumation involved is more than most mere mortals dare to bare. The perfection of this new art doesn't seem effortless - in the way that anyone with the CA$H could accomplish. The stories, characters, and overall production is always the foundation but, the quality of it's originality, awe-inspiring jaw dropping finesse & flow keeps all who still have "the child inside" begging for more. Even if it isn't Disney/PIXAR branded, the similair styled films companies know they have a mint and will continue to keep on trying to one-up the other.
Now, if you are a fan of the STAR WARS - Episode 1 DVD's features and mind boggling behind the scenes info & eye candies, MONSTERS, INC. will fill in that void/absense & fanboy NEED until STAR WARS - Episode 2 & SPIDER-MAN come out in November.
Sit back, watch the flick, set your opinions aside until the final scene is through...you'll realize & see the same thing I did. If you don't, you fall into the category of people who hate movies like this one and will be short-changed in the long run.
Watch and enjoy just how SCARY it is to feel like a kid again, seeing something new and original for the very first time redone, redone, & redone again until this film genre is narrowed down to perfection.

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