Monsters, Inc. (2001)

Monsters, Inc.

Written by Andrew Stanton & Dan Gerson

Directed by Pete Docter

Accompanying Short: For the Birds

Written & Directed by Ralph Eggleston

The weird thing to me about Monsters, Inc. is that I feel like I knew the plot more from the attraction at Disney California Adventure than from my previous viewing of the movie back when it came out. There were many times that I thought to myself, Oh, that’s from the ride before having to correct myself that No, the ride is from that. It reminds me of the man that was STUNNED to learn that the Pirates of the Caribbean film series is based on a 50 year old attraction, and not the other way around (hand to God, that really happened, and it made my brain hurt).

For the Birds

Attached to this film was the short For the Birds, which I had seen for the first time two years ago. It’s a cute little short, featuring a bunch of bully birds against an obvious outsider. It actually feels somewhat timely, which is really a pretty sad observation to have to make. I wasn’t a huge fan of the choice to have the outsider bird laugh at the bullies once they get their comeuppance, but I suppose I understand. I’d rather that the outsider showed compassion against the bullies, helping to reaffirm the message, but alas, a vicious cycle is what we get instead.

Monsters, Inc. is a film that I feel many people like, but I’ve never really been all that amazed by it. Yeah, it’s funny and its got some heart, but so do most of Pixar’s films. There’s nothing particularly notable about this film, and I recall that I’ve always felt a bit ambivalent towards it.

Billy Crystal as Mike Wazowski

I think a big piece of that, for me, is too much Billy Crystal. I like Crystal, when he’s hosting the Oscars or something like that. I can’t say that I’m a big fan of his in a leading role, and this film is a great example. He’s just…obnoxious, with very little to do besides his frustrated wise-guy shtick. His scene in the Abominable Snowman’s cave with Sulley has some good meat to dig into, but by that point, I didn’t want the story to slow down for these two to have an argument. I mean, it’s the logical place to have one, but the story’s tension has been ratcheting up and that scene, as dramatic as it’s trying to be, kinda lets the air out of the tires.

Roz!

Sulley is a much more interesting character, and I really enjoy what John Goodman does with him. His connection with Boo is really very sweet, and the true heart of the film comes from their interaction. For that bond to be so strong, especially when all Boo can say is “Kitty!”, is a testament to the creative team. Perhaps my favorite character, however, is Roz, who is just so perfect. I’d have loved just a little bit more with her, but a little goes a long way.

Notice those flyaway hairs on his shoulder? I suspect that’s more a computer issue than an animation choice

I do need to give the film credit for it’s design: each of the monsters feels fully realized and, weirdly, feels and looks believable within the context of the world. There’s not a single character that made me wonder how they existed (although why some characters wear clothing and others don’t doesn’t make a ton of sense). I also enjoyed most of the parallel-universe aspect of the film, although I actually think it was better realized in Zootopia. The animation is also improving; it takes guts to make a character as hairy as Sulley this early in the lineup. It’s generally okay, but there are definitely shots where Sulley’s fur looks unrefined and still subject to the whims of the computer, not the artist.

Me on pretty much any roller coaster

The standout sequence in the film is the door chase, and I stand by the idea that that sequence would make an AWESOME ride at the Disney parks. The sequence is really inventive and clever, and I wish it was a little bit longer. It’s admittedly rather convenient that every door they go through doesn’t have someone awake on the other side, but I’m willing to give it the smallest of passes.

As great as some of the components of the film are, I still walk away from it not feeling like I need to see it again. It’s not a bad film, but I don’t think it’s one of the greats, either. At the time of its release, it scored incredibly highly with critics and audiences, but I wonder if it would get scored quite as high today. It’s not perfect, but it’s a fun buddy romp.

SHORT GRADE: B-

FILM GRADE: B+