I'm not sure if it's the level of hype that surrounded Monster's, Inc. or just the film itself, but I find Disney & Pixar's latest venture missing the magic of the Toy Story series, the adventure of A Bug's Life, and the wit of Dreamworks' Antz.

While the idea surrounding Monster's is highly original and could have been an excellent launchpad for yet another Disney masterpiece, the end product seems more animated-by-numbers than revolutionary.

The talent involved is top notch, and includes Billy Crystal as Mike, John Goodman as big and lovable Sully, Jennifer Tilly as Celia--Mike's love interest, Steve Buscemi as villain Randall Boggs, and the always pleasurable James Cobrun as the mastermind Henry Waternoose. Buscemi's character is the weakest link here, as his portrayal of a slimy, backstabbing monster is no match for the animation provided his character, making him look more silly than scary.

The animation itself is not bad, but not what you expect from the folks at Pixar, although Sully's sparkly, shimmering fur is a noticable standout. I must say that the highlight of the film is the human child Boo. Any scene without her is lacking and pretty much not worth seeing. She is the emotional center and primarily the only comic relief (most of Billy Crystal's material is poor--too dull for adults, too whiny for kids). Without her liveliness, Monster's would be a sad sight.

Recommended:
No

Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up to Age 4