Genuine Warmth and Fun

Rating: 8/10 (5 November 2001)

The folks at Pixar have done it again, showing that they are in touch with both their inner children and real ones. Monsters, Inc. has all the usual eye-candy; although the Toy Story films as well as A Bug's Life have made it more difficult to marvel at what's becoming an expected level of perfection, one must only consider Sully's fur, which ripples and sways in the wind (and from his own snoring) with complete realism. The story is typical Disney, but any hokiness is avoided by the genuine warmth of the attachment between Sully and Boo, the human toddler who has accidentally crossed over into the universe of monsters hidden behind the closet door. Goodman's characterization matches well with Pixar's visualization, creating a lovable lug, and Boo is simply irresistible, notably her baby-talk. The only real weak link is Billy Crystal's sidekick Mike. There seems little reason for the character, frankly. He just gets to be the cranky, manic pal of the hero, the annoying but good-at-heart fast talker. It's not that Crystal does a bad job, but the character's a little adrift. The movie also acts as a kind of allegory about our reliance on power sources that are rooted in others' suffering (eg., oil), but one needn't pay THAT much attention! You REALLY WILL laugh and cry at this one. And you'll leave feeling better about everything. Trust me.