Those that didn't love the edginess of Atlantis or the adult humor of Shrek will most certainly fall in love with this movie. And considering it's from Pixar, it can't lose.
Monsters, Inc. is a fine and worthy addition to the Disney lineup. It charms and wows in the good old fashioned Pixar way. We still get the seemingly mandatory short before the main movie itself. This time, the short is called For the Birds, and it will tickle your funny bone with its quirkiness much in the same way that Geri's Game did. After that we jump right into the main movie. From the beginning, it's somewhat apparent that this is a different kind of movie for Pixar. Instead of a lushly rendered title screen, we get a simply animated opening that looks like it came straight out of a Disney movie from the 50s. It's kinda bouncy and colorful, though, and I think I like the difference. After we get past the title, though, we're greeted with the usual charming characters who make us laugh with their witty dialogue and move us with touching scenes. Fans of Disney and Pixar alike should have no worries with this movie. It's still the same family goodness people have come to expect from Pixar.
Despite the usual Pixar trimmings, however, something sets this apart from the rest of their movies, and it's not just the title screen. First of all, Pixar is well known for throwing out clever jokes and over-the-top personalities at the audience. Monsters, Inc. is surprisingly thin on jokes, other than the mildly witty dialogue. People looking for the usual laugh-a-minute Pixar won't find it with Monsters, Inc. The movie makes up for this by concentrating on character, though.
The story, too, is slightly un-Pixar-like. It seems to be inconsequential at certain parts, and quite a few story points fall through the cracks as if they didn't matter. Halfway in, the movie gets repetitive, but it's hardly noticeable. What is noticeable is that Monsters, Inc. is Pixar's most harmless and cutest movie to date. This may pose a bit of a problem for some Pixar fans, but it will obviously be no biggie to anyone just looking to have a good time.
My final analysis? I had a heck of a good time watching Monsters, Inc. and I suggest you don't hesitate to go give it a try at the theaters. The movie was clean, charming and touching. While as a Pixar movie, it is a little bland and ordinary, as a Disney movie, it is more than adequate. It doesn't have the bouncy exuberance of The Emperor's New Groove or Shrek, and its harmless nature makes Atlantis look like a rated R movie, but those just wanting to have a good time watching a clean family movie and not having to put up with violence or bathroom humor will definitely want to watch Monsters, Inc. It is proof that Pixar doesn't disappoint and that you don't need a kid to have a good time watching it.
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