Show is for keeps

Rating: Null/10 (8 December 2001)

A great number of the previous user comments (and a great number of those coming after mine, I would suspect) make the comparison between this animated movie and Shrek, Harry Potter, (the upcoming at time of press) Lord of the Rings, and Pixar's earlier shows. I'm not here to rehash all that.
Let me start out by saying that you'll read no spoilers here. Also, to each his own. While the overwhelming number seem to enjoy the film (as did I), others did not, and some of them make objective sense.
That said; this is a truly clean movie. I am not one of those people who can read SEX into smoke plumes, but I detected no 'signals' (hidden or otherwise) of any sort. Adult themes do not come into play here, save the usual kissy stuff that may have offended a century ago, but not today. I would recommend the show to almost any age without reservation. This is a movie that (on the basis of suitability alone) should feature a prominent place somewhere on your video shelf.
Next, the storyline. I liked Shrek, mind you, and Pixar's previous movies. Lord of the Rings is on my 'must watch' list as well, but Monsters, Inc is good enough to appeal on several levels at the same time. It is something new, although you might catch on to the 'most powerful' energy source (untapped at the beginning of the show) as soon as it is featured. If your children liked it at 3, they'll like it at 13, 23, and 30, but for more and different reasons.
I have a heard a great deal about Harry Potter, prominently from the Christian fundamentalists who thoroughly disapprove of the entire concept. I'm a Christian fundamentalist-type myself, but don't let me put a crimp in your enjoyment. Never did like the chap, even when I first heard of him. Personally, I would prefer David Eddings' books be made into movies, except the gentleman doesn't want to do so. At any rate, Monster, Inc will never suffer that kind of adverse 'publicity', and I strongly doubt its effects will seem dated 50 years down the track (which will happen to Harry Potter, believe me!) Animation had its privileges; I still love Mickey Mouse and he's fairly old for a house rodent.
Many shows require you to suspend your disbelief, and turn your brains off. Monsters, Inc doesn't require you to do so - at least, it does it for you very subtly. Just watch it. This show is a keeper.