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Monsters, Inc. (2001)

Kitty? — Written by OhLookBirdies on 07.11.2009

Looking through the list of reviews I've written so far, I must admit this one does stick out a bit, subject-wise. All the other films I've discussed involve lots of blood, fire, violence and more of such pleasantries. But what can I say? I also happen to love Disney and Pixar.

So, enough about me, let's talk about the film. Monsters, Inc. is one of those films that is an instant classic. Of course, aesthetically it's already a masterpiece. The attention to detail apparent in its every aspect is simply stunning. Monsters with a thick, furry coat whose every hair moves separately, monsters with twenty eyes, all of which have correct pupil reflexes... I could write a thousand words, simply marvelling about how every little thing is in the right place, but I shan't, because it would probably get a bit boring.

Onwards to the story. Because, as much fantasy and imagination has been applied to the visual side of the film, the story has clearly been created by people of equal or even higher imaginative genius. Even the basic premise is a work of art: An entire city of monsters, a select few of whom come out of closets and scare human children, not out of malice but because a child's scream is their form of energy, which can be refined into electrical power? That is just brilliant. Top scarer Sulley and bumbling assistant Mike are as multi-dimensional and likeable as any three 'real' film protagonists you could care to name, and baddie Randall, brilliantly voiced by Steve Buscemi is as slimy and untrustworthy as anything. And then there's the little side stories, like Bigfoot, The Abominable Snowman and Nessie being real, because they're monsters who were banished from Monstropolis for reasons unknown, or Mike's love affair with a monster whose hairdo is Medusa-esque but whose rage when she gets stood up by Mike is far scarier than said Gorgon ever was in the myths.

The real star of the film, though, is the human child who is the cause of much panic throughout the film, because monsters firmly believe human children are incredibly toxic. This child, lovingly dubbed "Boo" by Sulley, after her tendency to jump out and scare people, never speaks in anything more coherent than an incredibly cute gibberish, yet still somehow manages to project a screen presence that is larger than a monologuing Laurence Olivier in a Shakespearian play.

Okay, I'm probably exaggerating on that last point, because I'm biased. After all, Boo is a lot cuter than Sir Olivier. But my point still stands, if maybe slightly more nuanced.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, I like Monsters, Inc. a whole lot. Go watch it.

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