Tonight's Movie: Monsters, Inc. (2001)
I had a grand time today going to see the reissued MONSTERS, INC., which I had missed seeing on a big screen when it was originally released in 2001.
Although it's playing in many theaters in 3D, I was happy to see MONSTERS, INC., in its original 2D version. MONSTERS, INC., is at the top of my list of favorites from Disney-Pixar, along with the TOY STORY trilogy and THE INCREDIBLES (2004).
The story, for those who might not have caught up with it yet, concerns a city of monsters -- named Monstropolis, of course! -- which has its energy powered by the screams of human children scared by monsters. "Sulley" (John Goodman), a big furry blue monster, is a champion scarer, aided by his best friend, one-eyed Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal). The monsters are really very nice guys at heart, they just need to unleash the children's screams to prevent an energy crisis!
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The movie also has real heart, depicted in Sulley's relationships with Boo and his best pal Mike. Sulley's parting from Boo tugs at the heartstrings, and the movie's final shot is a lovely emotional payoff.
I love the sly little tributes scattered throughout the film, my favorite being that the monsters' favorite restaurant is named Harryhausen's. The six-legged octopus working in the restaurant is a tribute to Harryhausen's "sexapus" in IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA (1955), a joke I could really appreciate since I saw that movie for the first time this year!
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The voice of Sulley and Mike's employer, Henry J. Waternoose, was familiar, but I couldn't quite place it. It was fun to be reminded by the end credits that it was the voice of James Coburn. I felt a bit as though I came full circle on his movies this year, having seen one of his very earliest films, RIDE LONESOME (1959), last summer and now seeing one of his last films today.
Pixar's "good luck charm," John Ratzenberger, voices the Abominable Snowman. Jennifer Tilly is Mike's girlfriend, Celia. Frank Oz and Bonnie Hunt are among the large voice cast; Hunt has worked on several Pixar films, including A BUG'S LIFE (1998), CARS (2006), and TOY STORY 3 (2010).
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Parental advisory: This movie is rated G. There are a couple brief moments of bathroom-type humor which I would not have chosen to include, but otherwise the film is family-friendly at all times.
The movie was preceded by a brilliant college "commercial" for the upcoming prequel MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (2013); the trailer emulates the type of college promos aired during football games on TV. The commercial and university website are really wonderful pieces of marketing!
MONSTERS, INC., was also preceded by Pixar's amusing short FOR THE BIRDS (2000). The score of this wordless computer-animated cartoon was by Riders in the Sky, who also appeared on the soundtrack of TOY STORY 2 (1995) singing "Woody's Roundup."
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It also had a release on VHS.
Other Disney films seen on a big screen and reviewed here in 2012: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (1991), LADY AND THE TRAMP (1955), IN SEARCH OF THE CASTAWAYS (1962), CINDERELLA (1950), and WRECK-IT RALPH (2012).
3 Comments:
The most adorable and brilliant movie Pixar ever made. What a treat for you to see it on the big screen.
Isn't it a charmer? So glad to know you enjoy it too!
Best wishes,
Laura
I remember loving this - there were also some great trailers for it with footage which wasn't actually in the movie! Looking forward to the sequel, though my kids are now grown-up! Judy
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