MONSTERS INC DELUXE EDITION: DVD

SYNOPSIS:
Champion ‘scarer’ Sully (voice of John Goodman) and Mike (voice of Billy Crystal) work as a team in the Monstropolis factory, where children’s screams are collected as an energy source. The factory is run by Henry J. Waternoose (voice of James Coburn), but all the monsters are finding it increasingly difficult to scare the children, with whom contact is forbidden, as they are considered 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:
The creators of Toy Story peek behind the closet door for an endearing animation about monsters whose sole purpose is to bring frights to children everywhere. Of course, Sully is more lovable than scary, but as champion scarer, he has a reputation to uphold. And in a delightful twist, the monsters are actually terrified of children, in this marvellously created reality, where doors open up a new world, be it another land or simply the bedroom of a child from whom a scream can be collected. Wonderfully imaginative concepts delightfully executed, Monsters Inc is a colourful splash of wit and charm. With its script peppered with puns, it’s bright and colourful with plenty of appeal to all. It is unheard of to get attached to a child and the development of Sully’s relationship with Boo is sweetly effected, and has some moving moments. I know I secretly wiped away a little tear in a poignant scene. John Goodman’s booming voice is a perfect match for Sully’s physique, while Billy Crystal’s one-eyed Mike is fast and funny, throwing one-liners furiously almost every minute. Steve Buscemi’s villainous Randall is pretty cool, changing his colour and disappearing at will while Jennifer Tilly’s octopussy startles with hair some may die for. Listen for the voice of Frank Oz, who plays Fungus. It’s a magical world far over the rainbow where screams turn to laughter.

Impressively, but not surprisingly, Pixar has compiled a DVD to scream about with about eight hours of special features that will keep tots, teens and the terminally young, totally mesmerised. Behind the door that allows us into the Human World, we are invited on a tour of the Pixar Studios hosted by Toy Story director John Lasseter – from the mailroom to the love lounge. I was fascinated to see the early animation tests, when the originally drawn Sully slinked along with tentacles, while Mike had no arms. But it was obviously decided that a purple and turquoise fluffy monster and an armed Mike had more appeal, and millions of fans would agree. In the Monster Files we learn how the animators work with the voice actors and indeed how the characters evolved from storyboard to film and behind the door into the Monster World, there are irresistible outtakes and a game with Billy Crystal providing the voice over. 

There’s an opportunity to watch the tweet-a-riffic Oscar-winning short For the Birds, and for the first time, a brand new animated short called Mike’s Car, in which Mike takes Sully for a ride in his bright yellow, shiny new six wheel drive. Of course everything goes wrong and I especially love the part when Sully squeezes himself into the car, adjusting the sinking seat so low that he disappears out of view. There’s a novel and charming commentary by Docter and Gould (the very young children of the directors) – a great idea and not one I’ve encountered before. For those interested in the serious business of animation, there’s plenty to inform, and the whole compilation of the two disc set makes for a DVD that will be cherished and replayed many times.

Published October 3, 2002