Perhaps Pixar's best film; technically excellent animation, great color and music, and fun story!

Rating: 9/10 (25 November 2001)

"Monsters, Inc." was a thoroughly entertaining, fun, and exciting film! I loved Pixar's animation, of course, and the story was funny and interesting. There is a scene in the first two or three minutes of a monster's scaring a sleeping child (actually, a simulation at the Monster utility company), and a second scaring simulation 2/3 or so through the movie which some children as old as 6 or 7 may be disturbed by, but otherwise the film is great for all ages!
The ingenious plot takes place at a utility company in Monstropolis, a world of monsters. In 8-hour shifts, the citizen monsters go through bedroom doors of sleeping children; the screams that the monsters evoke are the energy currency of Monstropolis. But even as they scare the children, the monsters themselves are afraid of humans. What happens when a child accidentally enters an ajar door and comes into the world of the monsters?
I found that I enjoyed this film even more than Pixar's earlier "Toy Story" or "Toy Story 2" (both also excellent films!). "Monsters, Inc." is one of those few films that I left the theatre feeling that I would like to see the film again soon while it is still playing on the big screen. I found the plot and animated characters (especially the main character monsters, Sulley and his sidekick Mike, and the so cute 4-year-old Boo - perhaps misnamed as she was, in fact, rather brave) to be captivating, the colors and music contributing to a fun "retro modern" style. The humor could be appreciated by all ages, and I enjoyed catching a brief reference to "Toy Story", when Boo picks up a toy featured in that movie. I loved the chase scene through the seemingly endless doors, and the scene with the Abominable Snowman, who was trying to be helpful (sno-cones, anybody?!).
This film is certainly worth seeing again on the large screen and then owning when it is out on video. The animation is rich; careful repeat watchings will no doubt reveal additional interesting detail, such as reading of all of the headlines in the scene where Boo is discovered in Monstropolis.
Don't miss seeing "Monsters, Inc." while it's playing in theatres, so you can enjoy the rich colors and animation. What a fun treat after the tragedy of September 11! I rate is 9 or 10 out of 10!