Monsters, Inc.

Pixar manages to squeeze more heart and soul into five minutes of screen time than most full length films contain in their entire running time. All of Pixar's previous films display this rare ability and Monsters, Inc. is no exception. Pixar really does have unique talents in the film industry. Every time they decide to create characters and wrap them around a gentle, heartwarming story, the audience knows they're about to see greatness. It's an absurd expectation to have, and nearly impossible to live up to, but somehow Pixar has managed to stifle all fears and do exactly what I thought they would: create one of the best films of the year.

It's the story of Sully and Mike, two star employees of Monsters, Inc., a scare factory located in downtown Monstropolis. Monstropolis is a mega-city in an alternate plane of reality, a place where the screams of children serve as electricity. Sully has been the employee of the month for the last eleven months and he is well on his way to earning his twelfth consecutive title. Also in his sights is the all-time scare mark. However, peeping over his shoulder is the evil Randall, who is willing to do anything to take over Sully's crown. In addition, Monstropolis is on a scream-shortage, and rolling blackouts roam the monster inhabitant's homes. In their zest to strike fear into the hearts of more children, an accident occurs. Sully and Mike attempt to alleviate the situation and in the process become part of something a whole lot bigger.

Pixar manages to give each monster in the cast a unique, compelling personality from the gentle giant Sully, the wise cracking Mike, the meandering Roz, to the spunky Celia. In creating such endearing characters, Pixar has made its job a lot easier. Their attempts at humor all work, their plot twists fly by, and their tugs at heart-strings ring true. Monsters, Inc. offers a great range of emotion and is almost unbearably cute. It's a gift to all audiences everywhere.

On a scale of 1 to 10 scream canisters : 8