2001 | Dir. Pete Docter | 92 Minutes
"Hey, Mike, this might sound crazy but I don't think that kid's dangerous."
In a world of monsters that relies on the screams of human children as their only source of energy, hairy behemoth James P. Sullivan and walking eyeball Mike Wazowski make up the top scaring team at Monsters, Inc., discreetly entering the human world to collect screams from kids. When an innocent child finds her way into their world, Sulley and Mike discover a nefarious plot is afoot at Monsters, Inc., leading them to unravel the secret nature of their universe.
Pixar Animation Studios takes a high concept story idea, builds a lively fully-realized world around it without relying on heavy exposition, and condenses it into a suspenseful adventure with a sweet emotional core. While the ultimate technical challenge of this film was to develop technology to render realistic fur for Sulley, the more significant challenge by far was to present the child Boo as a lively and lovable character worthy of the Sulley and Mike's (and the audience's) concern and affection. Pixar successfully accomplishes both challenges with panache, maintaining the level of quality audiences can expect from their features.
Monsters, Inc. is first and foremost a buddy comedy, and accomplished screen actors John Goodman and Billy Crystal are an excellent comedic duo as Sulley and Mike, aptly suited for their parts and perfectly complementing one another's comedic timing. Character actor Steve Buscemi is appropriately despicable as Sulley's chameleon rival Randall Boggs accompanied by Frank Oz as his sniveling assistant Fungus. Legendary actor James Coburn brings gravitas to the role of Monsters, Inc. CEO Henry J. Waternoose III. Completing the cast is Jennifer Tilly, delightfully bubbly as Mike's receptionist girlfriend Celia.
Monsters, Inc. is a thrilling ride set in a wholly original world. With fun, well-designed characters and a touching story about friendship in the face of irrational fear, Monsters, Inc. is a fitting addition to Pixar’s line of quality pictures.
JOHN RATZENBERGER AS...
- A banished Yeti living in the Himalayas
PIXAR INTERCONNECTIVITY
- Andy's wallpaper from Toy Story is one of the backgrounds Randall uses to practice his camouflage
- Sulley and Mike send Randall to the trailer seen in A Bug's Life that resides above Bug City, the Pizza Planet delivery truck from Toy Story is still parked next to it
- When Sulley returns Boo to her room, she hands him the ball from 1986 Pixar animated short Luxo, Jr., a Cowgirl Jessie doll from Toy Story 2, and a clownfish from Finding Nemo (in development at the time of the film's release)
