I Scream, You Scream, the Kids Scream for Energy: A Movie Review of Pete Docter's "Monsters, Inc."

Original 2001 poster

2013 3D release poster

Most young children are scared of what things when they go to bed? Dark, scary noises and...monsters! Those monsters are waiting in the closets, always ready to come out growling. In Disney/Pixar's Monsters, Inc. the monsters "scare because they care." It is their job to scare because human screams provide clean energy for their world.
If you have seen the recent film Monsters University, then you will see that Monsters, Inc. is a continuation of the storyline. It was, however, made first. It did well at the U.S. box office the first week, though it steadily dropped for its second and third weeks. The movie stars the voices of John Goodman as James P. "Sulley" Sullivan, Billy Crystal as Mike Wazowski, and Steve Buscemi as Randall Boggs.

SUMMARY

   Mike and Sulley are two average monsters, working at the mega-corporation Monsters, Incorporated. Sulley is the top scarer at work, with his best friend Mike as his assistant. Their lives are quite normal: Sulley works hard at his job, Mike has a good relationship with his girlfriend, and they have no unexpected surprises in their lives.

   Oh, wait...one evening after work, Sulley sees a lone door on the "Scare Floor." He enters the human room, but finds nothing. Then he turns around to find a little human girl playing with his tail. The big, strong, and scary monster becomes timid and afraid of this girl getting near him. You see, the monsters believe that human children are toxic. "A single touch could kill you!" as the CEO of Monsters, Inc. says.

   The "Child Detection Agency" (CDA) is in a state of panic when reports of a human girl are received. Mike and Sulley hide the girl in their apartment after a close call at a sushi restaurant. While Mike is intent on figuring out a plan to get rid of the little girl, Sulley begins to grow close to her. Then Sulley has an idea: they disguise her as a monster, take her to work, and plan to send her back through her door.

   This proves harder than they thought. Because Mike did not turn in paperwork, he is denied access to the right door card. 

   Eventually, Mike tries to return "Boo" (as Sulley affectionately names her), but Sulley wants to keep her with them. The three of them soon uncover an evil plot right inside their factory!

   The movie ends with a touching scene, but I won't go into detail so as not to spoil the ending.

CONTENT

   The film is, of course, centered around monsters scaring children. On several occasions we get scenes of this, which could possibly frighten young kids. Also, towards the end of the movie, there is some mild slapping, choking, and a chase scene. I doubt this would get it a PG rating, but parents will want to watch the film with children who are easily scared.

Mike has a girlfriend named Celia and there is a scene or two with kissing.

   There is no swearing in the film.

   Monsters, Inc. is a family-favorite of ours. It is a classic Disney/Pixar film, and any family is sure to enjoy this!

GENERAL INFORMATION

Length: 92 minutes

Rating: G

Director: Pete Docter

Producer: Darla K. Anderson

Music: Randy Newman

Year of release: 2001

Primary audience: Children, family