MONSTERS INC

SYNOPSIS:
Sully (voice of John Goodman) is the champion monster 'scarer' in the Monstropolis factory run by Henry J. Waternoose (voice of James Coburn), where children's screams are collected as an energy source. Sully works as a team with his best friend Mike (voice of Billy Crystal), a rotund green one-eyed monster on spindly legs who is betrothed to (voice of Jennifer Tilly). The monsters are finding it increasingly difficult to scare the children, with whom contact is forbidden, as they are considered to be toxic. When Boo (voice of Mary Gibbs) is locked out of her portel, Sully befriends her and monster reptile Randall Biggs (voice of Steve Buscemi) sees this as his chance to take Sully's champion position.

Review by Louise Keller:
With its imaginative concepts delightfully executed, Monsters Inc is a colourful splash of monstrous wit and charm that will send you happily into nonsense land for 92 enjoyable minutes. The script is spiked with puns and in-jokes, and the characters will put a broad smile on your face, whatever age you happen to be. The filmmakers have superbly created a wonderful reality – the reality of Monstropolis, which, like the worlds of Oz and Pleasantville, whisk us far, far away on a magic carpet. It's films like this that are true family entertainment; it is hard to say whether the children or the adults will enjoy it more! The monsters will certainly not scare the little ones – they are far too cute. Besides, the monsters are terrified of the children, which is a nice about turn. The concept is simple but clever, and the notion that each door opens up a different world – be it in Japan, Paris, the tropics or even in chilly destinations where the abominable snowman questions his abominability. It is unthinkable for a monsters like Sully to get attached to a child, and the poignant scene with Sully and Boo (Boo calls him 'Kitty'), was enough to make my eyes moist. But this is the magic of Pixar. We connect with the characters and they are real to us. It doesn't matter that Sully is a big furry purple and turquoise horned monster with huge feet and heart to match: he is irresistible. John Goodman's booming voice is perfectly matched with Sully's character and he's so likeable. Billy Crystal's one-eyed Mike is fun (Mike reminds me of a giant lime-green soft toy M & M that I was given at this year's Movie Convention), and all the voices are great. Steve Buscemi's Randall is a pretty cool character, being able to disappear and change his colour at will while Jennifer Tilly's Celia character is a beguiling octopussy with an unusual hair style. I suspect the merchandise for this film will be huge – who could resist their very own purple and turquoise lovable monster? Monsters Inc is a truly magical world where screams turn to laughter and our hearts are elevated.