Monsters, Inc.

Jumping six years ahead to 2001, Pixar released the animated film Monsters, Inc. on November 2. Although not technically a Disney film at the time of its release, Disney bought Pixar in 2006 resulting in the film transferring under Disney ownership. The film is about a Image result for monsters incmonster world completely powered by children’s screams. John P. Sullivan, or Sully, is one of the leading scarers and is responsible for a lot of the power that keeps his world running. One night a child sneaks into this world of monsters and Sully and his sidekick Mike work together to try to get her back home safely. Meanwhile, more and more human children are beginning to become less scared of monsters, threatening the well being of the monsters’ world. Randall, Sully and Mike’s rival and coworker, is in the process of creating a machine that forces screams out of children. Sully and Mike, despite overcoming many obstacles, eventually destroy this machine and discover laughter to be a more effective form of power.

This film was released less than two months after the 9/11 attacks. At this time, gas prices were rising and many people were worried America’s oil connections were going to be cut off. The film compares Monsters Incorporated’s reliance on children’s screams with America’s dependence on diminishing natural resources. In the film, the monsters were attempting to use technology to solve their problem. Similarly, in America at this time, people were inventing new technologies to reach resources that had not been retrievable before. However, the film argues that these resources are still going to eventually be in a shortage. Sully and Mike discover laughter as a new way to fuel society, sending the message that the United States needs to also start exploring new ways to fuel the country. In addition to the reflection on the lack of resources, the film also transforms monsters into nice, friendly creatures. Typically viewed as scary and grotesque, the monsters seen in Monsters, Inc. are furry and affable. Due to the attacks that had occurred just two months prior to the release of this film, many people were quick to judge and make assumptions on people based off of how they looked or what they believed. Monsters, Inc. showed America that our assumptions about things are not always true.

The film is a creative reflection on the climate of America at the time but is also full of important lessons for kids and adults alike. The film emphasizes the importance of relationships and friendships. Sully and Mike are best friends, roommates, and partners at Image result for monsters inc mikework. Throughout the movie they prove that they work better together than apart, proving that teamwork does in fact make the dream work. Similar to this idea, the movie sends the message that there are more important things in life than work. When Mike and Sully’s friendship becomes threatened, Sully soon realizes that there are more important things than scaring. Sully and Mike also sacrifice their work to help get Boo home, showing that at times it is necessary to prioritize things over work. Finally, the most obvious lesson in the film is the importance of laughter and humor. Laughter is ten times stronger than screams in the film, expressing the power humor can have on an entire society. Despite the immense fear and tension that had engulfed America at this time, with laughter and happiness our community could keep itself from drowning in these dark sentiments.

Monsters, Inc. is a modern childhood movie classic. Through fun, lovable monsters, the film attempts to address serious events happening in society at the time of release as well as create a light, memorable movie for children across the globe. Monsters, Inc. is a prime example of what movies can achieve and the lessons they can teach through their characters and masterful storytelling.

2 Comments on Monsters, Inc.

  1. Max
    October 10, 2019 at 10:44 am (5 years ago)

    this really helps in my coursework

    Reply
  2. A. N.
    May 31, 2022 at 2:11 am (3 years ago)

    I thought it was about exploitation of foreigners (or young foreigners) in general, such as in cases like Nestle. The monsters and the children in the movie were not from the same country. I thought it was talking about how uplifting children uplifts the world, the children are our future, society is only as strong as the weakest link, etc.
    Also, theocracies are powered by the screams of children. To not bring up darker things, for example the church scaring kids into obedience by the fear of H-ll. They grow up and keep their heads down.

    Reply

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