MONSTERS, INC.
Starring: Voices of Billy Crystal, John Goodman
Directed by: Peter Silverman, John Docter
Distributed by: Walt Disney Pictures

Date: 10/24/01
By: Michael Watanabe

Pixar produces a “Monster” of a film

By Michael Watanabe
Daily Forty-Niner

            As technology fills our world, the distinction between reality and virtual reality seems indistinguishable. Such was the case in this summer’s “Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within.”

            All the time and effort “Final Fantasy” put into the pretty pictures could have been better spent on a workable script. Pixar Animation Studios, releasing its latest November 2, 2001 ,“Monsters, Inc.,” has not made the same mistake.

            “Monsters, Inc.” combines tradition with innovation to deliver impeccable voice talents, an inventive story and even better technology than its predecessors “Toy Story,” and its sequel, “Toy Story 2.

Denizens of Monstropolis

            In Monstropolis, a quirky world with monsters of all shapes and sizes, James P. Sullivan (John Goodman) and Mike Wazowski work at Monsters, Inc. The company, owned by Henry J. Waternoose (James Coburn), produces energy from children’s screams.

            Standard fare. Here’s the twist. The monsters, believing children are toxic, are scared of the children. When one child, which Sullivan names Boo, accidentally follows Sullivan into Monstropolis, the whole city goes nuts, resulting in twists only Pixar could deliver.

            Traditionally, Pixar has delivered original concepts of which everyone could relate. “Toy Story” and its sequel told us that mere playthings had lives of their own. Why else would that Woody doll be in a different place every time?

That could be YOUR closet door

            “A Bug’s Life” allowed us to see the complexities of an ant society. Who ever thought those small creatures faced so many dangers?

            And, “Monsters, Inc.” is no different. Everyone has seen the monster under his or her bed. Everyone has a monster in his or her closet. But who would have thought that monster was scared – even paranoid – of human children?

            Following tradition, Pixar has once again included a short, “For the Birds.” The short, like the movie, was funny while delivering a positive message about cruelty and the last laugh.

            The movie allows us to laugh while taking in a deeper message – work through your fears.

Shaddap youz face!

            "That should be the key," John Ratzenberger, who voiced the Abominable Snowman, said in a round-table discussion. "That should be the drum beat that Hollywood follows right now."

            Through the movie, Sullivan – and especially Wazowski – must work through his fears to see Boo as an equal, not a dangerous threat to monsters everywhere. This message is extremely poignant in the trying times after the Sept. 11 tragedies.

            “We’re one country,” Ratzenberger said. “Hollywood’s got to realize that it’s not one group against the other.”

            Crystal moves one step further. Maybe this movie will open the floodgates, and children will be able to discuss their fears.

            "Maybe parents will talk with their kids … ," Crystal said. "They may open up to them, they may ask questions."

Sullivan, voiced by John Goodman

            Aside from deeper meanings, “Monsters, Inc.” delivers brilliant voice talents. Often the character shines and the actor falls into the background.

            “It’s not the name of an actor, but how good they are,” said executive producer John Lasseter.

            Crystal and Goodman play off each other well, convincing the audience they have been best buddies since kindergarten. Steve Buscemi snarls as Randall Boggs, a gecko-type monster that competes with Sullivan for the most amount of screams.

            James Coburn sounds like a boss who runs his company like a general. And Jennifer Tilly swoons, with just enough sultriness in her voice, as the good-looking gal who Wazowski has his eye – yes, his one eye – on.

            The technology further emphasizes the voice-over talents by convincing the audience, consciously or subconsciously, that the characters are real. The little things, such as the 3 million individual hairs on Sullivan’s body, immerse the audience into Montropolis.

Mike, voiced by Billy Crystal

            The tech guys at Pixar had to simulate the movement of the hairs on Sullivan's body and the lighting and the movement of Boo's T-shirt. They had to wonder how hairs would move when Sullivan grabbed something, or brushed against a wall.

            Videos taken of the actors during the voice-over process added to the believability. At times, the actors could actually see themselves portrayed on screen. Crystal recalled seeing his eyebrow movements, his arm gestures in Wazowski.

            Buscemi saw himself in Boggs as well.

            There were little moments where I felt like I was watching myself … ," he said, via satellite in Times Square in New York, "and that was pretty unsettling I would have to say."

            Overall, "Monsters, Inc." works on a deeper level while delivering a funny, innovative story compounded with excellent technology. While the film does not quite reach the heights of "Toy Story," it does speak with people across the board.