Monsters, Inc. Details

Computer animation pioneers Pixar (Toy Story, A Bug's Life) continue their exploration of magical worlds that keep themselves hidden from human eyes with this frantic, funny and very furry animated feature. This time the focus is on the creatures that lurk inside the bedroom closets of children and who venture out to terrify their human prey when the lights are off. Creatures such as towering fluffball Sulley (voiced by John Goodman) and malevolent chameleon Randall (Steve Buscemi) are employees of Monsters Inc, a power provider for the city of Monstropolis, which is fuelled by the screams of human children. But Monstropolis is facing an energy crisis. Youngsters are getting harder to scare and, to make matters worse, Sulley accidentally lets a little girl into a realm where kids are believed to be highly toxic. Packed with the sort of artistry and storytelling panache we've come to expect from Pixar, the film creates a believable monsters' universe full of colour, energy and amusing creatures — especially the two horned, one-eyed joker known as Mike (voiced by Billy Crystal at his wisecracking best). The attention to detail is as staggering as ever, right down to the subtle movements of Sulley's rippling blue fur. A genuine monster smash.

"...There hasn't been a film in years to use creative energy as efficiently as MONSTERS, INC.; this is one clean-burning fuel engine that doesn't waste a joke or a thought..."