I am now green. Wahey. My pet hippo gave birth to a tin of bake beans the other day. We've called it...
I am now green. Wahey. My pet hippo gave birth to a tin of bake beans the other day. We've called it 'tinny'
Member since:16.04.2002
Reviews:3
Members who trust:2
As the adverts and trailers had finished and the film was about to start-I was in a heroicly bad mood. Despite having watched some brilliant movies at the end of 2001 (Lord of the Rings, AI and Amelie) my cynicism for the cinema had reached an altime low. I decided to list the many things that were annoying me at this point:
1) The ticket cost £6.50. I could probably fly to Bulgaria and set up a chip shop with that sort of money
2) A couple of the trailers were just plain insulting: 'Peter Pan in...Return to Never Never Land' and 'Cinderella 2' almost had me going green and muscly and bursting out of my shirt. (As opposed to white and skinny and taking my coat off) Had Disney lost all sense of decency? Had they given up completely? I turned to a friend and said with the deepest sarcasm possible: 'what next? Beauty and the Beast 2?'
He replied: 'yeah they've dont that one too'
3) I had been to the cinema the previous week to see Vanilla Sky (very disappointing) and had to sit near the back where a row of annoying/posh/teenage girls talked
all the way through the opening of the film, started squealing when there was actually a hint of tension, and one of their mobile phones went off. Added to that, some moron a few rows down snorted with amusement after the harrowing crash scene where Cameron Diaz drives Tom Cruise off a bridge (come to think of it, it is quite funny). Its at times like these when I agree with capitol punishment for badly behaved cinema goers
4) It was probably raining or something, because I can't have been in such a bad mood because of the above.
Anyway, as soon as the short Pixar animation appeared just before the film, I was transformed. The brief film called 'For the Birds' was just a quick show off for the animators of the main film, but it was so well done, utterly hysterical that I not only laughed like a silly goat, but cheered up immensly.
What followed was 92 minutes of brilliance. By now everyone should know the plot, and if you don't just look it up on www.empireonline.co.uk or something. A factory in Monstropolis which creates power by taking children's screams, is in danger as modern children are becoming more difficult to scare.
The main characters are Sully (big blue/green hairy thing voiced by John Goodman), Mike (little green eyeball voiced by Billy Crystall) two best friends and excellent scarers. But the nasty Randall (baddy-boo!-voiced by Steve Buscemi) has discovered a new way to extract the power needed for Monstropolis.
The film works so well because of its excellent storyline, wondeful characters, superb (often breathtaking) animatino, and great humour. For me, lots of strange monsters working in a factory going into children's closet (yes we're American here) doors is sublime. But there are so many little touches to make this a delight.
Mike, the green eyeball, pops in one large contact lense, a cleaner slug sweeps away some mess, only to slither off leaving a trail of slime.
I fall into three stages of laughter:
1) the 'SNORT': usually a soft extract of air from two nostrils or the mouth. This reflects something that amuses me, but is not neccesarily funny in a belly laugh kinda way. 2) the 'LAUGH': when I 'make inarticulate sounds with the voice expressing amusement'. Something I find funny. 3) the 'WOGGLE': I suddenly realised I had not a name for my final kind of laugh so this is what it is to be called. The symptons are: a) shoulders bounce up and down b) face and eyes scrunch up, tears roll down cheeks c) little whine/no noise although when the 'woggle' dies down a great wail or shriek may be heard d) pain in chest and difficulty with breathing
Stage three is rare and a hugely enjoyable situation to be in, whether it be the aftermath of a joint, Paul Merton on 'Have I got news for you', Rex the Runt, Monty Python, indulging in some wierdness with my two best friends and trying not to laugh while either singing or sat in a Cathedral packed with 300 people praying your not going to let out of burst of laughter while the prayers/sermon/anthemn is going on.
Well I'm slightly ashamed to admit it, but Monsters Inc. had me in stage 3 a lot. By far the funniest bit, and this is no disrespect to the film, is when its over, because they show the 'outakes' from the film (very clever idea). Not only did this leave me with tears down me cheeks (the cheeks on my face I must clarify) but all those irritating fools who stand up and leave the cinema as soon as the credits appear, either missed the outakes or had to stand while I sat going through pain and ecstacy.
One final thing that was so brilliant about the film: it was so good despite having one of the biggest sins in filmaking...a little girl. Films with little girls are always horendous. Note: Robocop 3 and The Grinch. Little girls in films just will not do, apart from in Monsters Inc.
One final 'very helpful' point: the voice of Randall's assistant (can't remember the name) is voiced by Frank Oz: director of 'The Score' and 'bowfinger' and most importantly the voice of Yoda! (although a helpful comment has informed me that he is Miss Piggy too!)
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
loved this film, got it at home actually, and watching it pretty often. liked your review
hitme100 19.06.2002 17:52
I too liked and agree with the little girl thing. But little boys can be so much worse (see Haley Joel Osment in anything and Macauly Culkin in Home Alone). NIK
Daysleeper 27.05.2002 12:03
a fab opinion - and nice name for the tird stage of laughter. i cried when he had to say goodbye to boo... sniff... the rest was tears of laughter tho. great op. cheers, d x
The monsters inMonsters, Inc.are just so incredibly cute--and they know it. Whereas Woody, ... more
Buzz and pals in theToy Storysaga were filled with self-doubt about just how much the children in their lives would continue to love them, here our heroic monste...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
The monsters inMonsters, Inc.are just so incredibly cute--and they know it. Whereas Woody, ... more
Buzz and pals in theToy Storysaga were filled with self-doubt about just how much the children in their lives would continue to love them, here our heroic monste...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Monsters Inc. is the largest scare factory in the monster world and the top Kid-Scarer is ... more
James P. Sullivan (John Goodman) a huge intimidating monster with blue fur large purple spots and horns known as "Sulley" to his friends. His Scare Assistant...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Advantages: Everybody likes monsters inc, whether your an oap or a toddler it is suitable for the whole family. This film has alot of funny moments and has hidden jokes in for the older audience. Disadvantages: This film can drag on a little and it is east to predict what is going to happen next.
k8tybaby 21.10.2005 ·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Monsters, Inc. (DVD)
![Monsters Inc. [2002] [DVD]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78540564.jpg "Monsters Inc. [2002] [DVD]")
Apr 17th, 2002
very helpful by (100%):
