Monsters, Inc

Monsters, Inc. is yet another joy of computer-animated cinema from Pixar, the company who also brought us the two Toy Story films and 1998's A Bug's Life. A genial, funny and wonderfully entertaining film for both kids and adults, these Monsters will have no problem scaring their way into the hearts of millions this holiday season.

Monsters Inc is the largest scream-processing factory in the monster world. Monsters of all shapes and sizes frighten children so their screams can be harnessed and used as energy back in the monster world. One of the top scarers is Sulley (voiced by John Goodman), a laid back blue and purple monster. His assistant-and best friend-is Mike Waszowski (Billy Crystal), a feisty one-eyed monster.

Since children are considered a threat to monsters, it's absolutely forbidden for anything or anyone from the human world to cross over into the monster world. Even a stray sock alerts a task force. But one night after work, while retrieving Mike's paperwork, Sulley accidentally lets in a two-year old girl, nicknamed Boo, who isn't scared by monsters in the least.

Directors Pete Docter, David Silverman and Lee Unkrich do a wonderful job at keeping up the level of excellence Pixar Animation has set for themselves in the past six years. Starting with 1995's Toy Story, each successive full-length theatrical offering from the company has brought us a new, fully developed world of imagination and wonder, backed by smart and witty screenplays (written this time out by Dan Gerson and Andrew Stanton) filled with endearing characters. Oh, and the animation isn't all that bad either.

Monsters also is blessed with a great voice talent cast. Goodman and Crystal work perfectly together, displaying the same type of good-natured chemistry that Tom Hanks and Tim Allen did in the Toy Story films. Steve Buscemi is wonderfully slimy and hilarious as Randall, a rival scarer. Jennifer Tilly, Bonnie Hunt and James Coburn also turn nice supporting turns as well.

Fun is the name of the game with Monsters, Inc. and it delivers on that promise in abundance. A little more family friendly than this summer's Shrek (but every bit as great), Monsters is as warm, fuzzy and lovable as its lead character Sulley. If you don't find yourself smiling all the way throughout, check your pulse.

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