Coming Out Of The Closet

Rating: Null/10 (30 January 2002)

Check that the closet is closed & hope that mummy has left your door open so you can see the landing light! Yes the monsters are back to scare you, but don't take it personally its just their job or so Pixar claim in their latest triumph Monsters Inc.
Rather than aim for the teen/adult market as Shrek did with its constant reliance on knowing in jokes Monsters Inc is a classic children's tale and the spirit of such tales appeals to all. Playing on every child's fear, not only are the monsters employed to frighten children - collecting screams as an energy source for their home of Monstropolis - but they are actually scared of kids and once a child escapes into their world the chaos begins!
As with the Toy Story movies at the core of this film is a great double act, here between co-workers Sulley (John Goodman) & Mike (Billy Crystal). Other great actors bring their vocal talents to the supporting cast such as Steve Buscemi & James Coburn although this film is more a two man show than previous Pixar releases. Goodman & Crystal make great leads, Goodman the more laid back thoughtful beast with Crystal his hyperactive, excitable sidekick, a perfect marriage between actor and character. It goes without saying that the world of Monsters Inc looks breathtaking, a fully believable world with monsters of all shapes & sizes everywhere, indeed like all of Pixars movies repeated viewing is a must so rich in background detail is the film.
Unlike the failure that was Final Fantasy this film not only delivers the goods visually but also story wise. Another trademark of Pixar is that the plot is the most important thing, the animation complementing & being used for the good of that. This is no more apparent than in Monsters Inc, which despite not being quite as laugh out loud funny as the Toy Story films has an unparalleled richness of character & plot. There are too many highlights, the Child Detection Agency, the cameo appearance of the Yeti - voiced by the excellent Pixar regular John Ratzenberg. But the climatic door-to-door chase scene stands out, rivalling anything that live action cinema let alone animation offers us for thrills. All in all not only an excellent animated movie, but an excellent movie full stop and a great cinematic start to 2002.