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Many of us as children were plagued by
monsters under the bed, but in our selfish terror we never paused to ask
what the monsters were actually doing there. Monsters, Inc. puts the monster's
point of view — and continues the tradition of impressive movies
to come out of the Disney-Pixar partnership (the two Toy Story movies,
A Bug's Life).
Monsters follows the monster from under your bed and back through your
closet door to Monsteropolis where all the monsters hang out during the
daylight hours. The story cleverly takes childhood fears and anxieties,
and adds comic twists — monsters are as afraid of children as children
are of monsters. The story is bursting with ingenious devices and giving
any away in a review would detract from their impact on the screen.
It is a tale of a clash of two worlds, kidnapping and abandonment and
rescue — much of the staple fare of children's fiction. As with the
other films, there is plenty here for the adult viewer. Monsteropolis
is a corporate dystopia that could be a parody of modern America.
Fans of the previous three films will be looking forward to seeing Monsters.
Where Toy Story broke new ground as the first full-length computer animation,
this film carries the possibilities of this technology to greater levels
of wow.
Consistency of tone and quality after losing John Lasseter, the director
of the other three films has been ensured by using Pete Doctor, one of
the writers of Toy Story. Doctor also writes this film.
Like its predecessors, Monsters marries technical achievement to a great
script, strong characterisation and impressively tight and pacy plotting.
The action is sustained and frantic and includes a roller coaster-like
ride that has the audience clinging to their chairs. It is a fun work
of big imagination. Treat yourself and see it.
Review by Chris Page
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