Monsters, Inc is a scare factory in the city of Monstropolis where kid's screams are harnessed for energy to run the city. Employees at Monsters, Inc go through gateways into the kids' bedroom closets to harness this scream energy, but children are becoming harder to scare and Monstropolis faces an energy shortage. Scaring isn't an easy job though -- Monsters believe that the touch of children is toxic; they're as scared of children as children are of them. The top kid Scarer is James P. Sullivan (John Goodman), a huge, intimidating moster with blue fur, large purple spots and horns, known as "Sulley" to his friends. His Scare Assistant, best friend and roomate is Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal), a lime green, opinionated, feisty, one-eyed monster. Together they are approaching the all-time scare record. Their only competition is Randall Boggs (Steve Buscemi), who will stop at nothing to move past them, including making unauthorized trips to the other side. Suddenly, the greatest horror imaginable in the monster world has happend, a litte girl, Boo (Mary Gibbs) has entered Monstropolis. Chaos reigns as Mike and Sulley try to hide the girl, protect themselves and expose Randall's cheating.
Like the previous works by Pixar, Monsters, Inc. is multi-tiered. It is a fast-moving, lively tale for children and a slyly written, visually impressive entertainment for adults. The older the viewer the more "inside" jokes they'll get. John Goodman and Billy Crystal make an effective 'Odd Couple'. James Coburn is suitable dignified as henry J. Waternoose, the factory owner. Jennifer Tilly lends her helium-like voice to Mike's girlfriend, Celia and Mary Gibbs' baby-talk make Boo all that more adorable. The union between the House of Mouse and Pixar couldn't have been better for Disney. The last few animated pictures put by Disney (Atlantis, The Emperor's New Groove) have underformed at the box-office with good reason. Also, I would be remiss not to point out the excellent short cartoon put in by Pixar. This simple 10 minute cartoon was capable of stealing the show. Hopefully, this trend will continue in the future. I wouldn't be suprised if some people who go see Monsters, Inc again and again just to see the short.
Monsters, Inc reaffirms the fact that a good animated film can be every bit as stimulating and emotionally satisfying as any live-action endeavor. Monsters, Inc. is nothing short of enchanting.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars (out of 4)