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
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.
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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?
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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.
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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."
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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.
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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.