‘Monsters, Inc.’ Lives Up To Its High Expectations, And Is Also Genuinely Affecting

Let’s be honest: as much as I wanted to see Disney/Pixar’s latest collaboration, Monsters, Inc., the main reason I rushed to see the movie on opening night was to catch a glimpse of Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones, whose teaser trailer is attached to the computer-animated film. As intriguing and fun as that fleeting, 60-second peek is, by the time the house lights come back up after Monsters, Inc., moviegoers will find themselves pleasantly aglow with positive feelings for this immensely satisfying and heartwarming film.

Although Monsters, Inc. arrives courtesy of some of the same award-winning talents behind both Toy Story films and A Bug’s Life, it is in many ways a less stacked comedy in regards to its ability to appeal to both adults and kids alike. Whereas the previous three films were loaded with subtexts only older audiences would grasp and appreciate, Monsters, Inc. is essentially simpler, though not the less inventive or creative in its concept. In the alternate dimension of Monstropolis, a world of creatures and critters is powered by Monsters, Inc., a scare factory that generates energy from the screams of little children. The wailing of the toddlers and tykes is captured whenever Scarers (top-notch, blue-collar monsters with a knack for terrifying kids) cross over through closet-door portals and put a fright on the young ones.

The top tandem in Monsters, Inc. is Sulley (voiced by John Goodman), a huge, blue-furred behemoth, and Mike (Billy Crystal), a green, one-eyed creature who resembles a walking lime. These best buddies find their pole positions challenged by an ambitious, conniving chameleon named Randall (Steve Buscemi), who covets their star status at the top of Monsters, Inc.’s productivity board. Despite Randall’s best efforts, Sully’s position as Top Scarer seems secure... that is until he unwittingly brings a tiny tot named Boo (Mary Gibbs) over from the human world. Since children are considered toxic and extremely dangerous to everything in Monstropolis, Sully and Mike’s reputations, let alone the safety of their very world, could come crumbling down if they don’t find a way to return Boo safely home.

Monsters, Inc. is colorful, exciting and visually arresting... but these are inarguably adjectives that moviegoers have come to expect from the Disney/Pixar team. What is perhaps most unique and surprising about the film, aside from its spectacular, heart-stoppingly action-packed climax, is its ability to genuinely affect the audience. The relationship that develops between fuzzy Sully and button-cute Boo is deeply funny, moving and involving. If the protagonists in the sterile, photo-realistically animated Final Fantasy had reached anywhere near the emotional range of the characters in Monsters, Inc., then all Hollywood would be abuzz about the medium’s immediate, rather than future, potential. As it is, Monsters, Inc., rated G and suitable for all ages, proves that technology and imagination, as valuable pieces as they may be in the cinematic puzzle, do not a fine movie make, but heartfelt characters and relationships do, and Monsters, Inc. has ‘em in spades, enough so to make grown-ups cry, even those who maybe only came for the Star Wars trailer.