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by Alex Keen Published: October 22, 2001
Directed by Peter Docter and David Silverman Featuring the voices of: Billy Crystal as Mike Wazowski John Goodman as James P. 'Sulley' Sullivan James Coburn as Henry J. Waternoose Jennifer Tilly as Celia Additional information available at the Internet Movie Database. This news does not mean the theatrical release of “Monsters, Inc.” won’t have the “Star Wars” trailer attached. Pixar Studio’s streak of hilarious animated masterpieces is kept alive in the sensational “Monsters, Inc.” Starring the voices of John Goodman, Billy Crystal, and Steve Buscemi, “Monsters, Inc.” explains to the world why monsters scare children – for energy. The monsters harness the screams the same way we collect solar – they suck them up and redistribute the energy. The film set-ups the duo of Goodman and Crystal to be the greatest scare producers at Monsters, Inc. Their direct competition for the record of most scares is a chameleon like monster voiced by indie vet Steve Buscemi. In this world of fun-loving and imaginative looking monsters, children are the only real fear. In a strange parallel to what is happening in the US right now, anything touched by children brought into the monster world is contaminated. These objects are treated in Monstropolis just like a letter with anthrax in the US. While the removal of contaminated objects is funny – it is strange that a bit meant to show the ridiculousness of a plague parallels our society's current obsession with anthrax. This minor episodes aside, all is normal in the Monstropolis until a small child named Boo slips in and all hell breaks lose. Throughout the film, the team of Goodman and Crystal successfully attack the audience with laughs. Whether it is the creative collection of one-eye jokes at Crystal’s expense, or the endearing cuddliness of Goodman’s blue monstrosity – the two A-list stars push past their past failures and shine. In Crystal’s case, “Monsters, Inc.” allows the comedian the opportunity a new body to perform his style of stand-up. His character is more like Eddie Murphy’s donkey in “Shrek” than, say, Tim Allen in “Toy Story.” For once Crystal is not center stage, and is not responsible for every laugh in the film. For Goodman, “Monsters, Inc.” gives the “King Ralph” star a renewed opportunity for success in Hollywood. Since “Roseanne,” Goodman attempted mid-level comedies and work in indie films (like the Coen’s “Barton Fink” and “The Big Lebowski”). In “Monsters, Inc.” Goodman is able to combine his comedic prowess with heartfelt compassion. His interactions with Boo are not only hilarious – they carry a powerful emotional attachment. It is their relationship that drives “Monsters, Inc.” above and beyond typical animated films. There is no doubt that by the end of its box office run, “Monsters, Inc.” will destroy “Shrek’s” current box office total. In addition, “Monsters, Inc.” will easily walk away with the first Best Animated Feature Oscar next spring. “Monsters, Inc.” is assuredly the funniest and most creative animated film this year. Overall Rating: A+ Attached Trailers: None Other early reviews include: Waking Life and The Man Who Wasn't There. |
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