OK for kids 5+
Cute, kid-friendly monster movie; may scare sensitive kids.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Monsters, Inc. is about closet monsters, but from their point of view -- scaring kids is their 9-to-5 job. Kids might be scared of the movie's concept initially, but they'll soon figure out that the monster Sulley is a softy who takes care of the little girl in the story who isn't the least bit afraid of him. However there's one scene where a monster the child does fear straps her to a chair and tries to steel her screams. Kids will find it funny that most monsters fear any contact with kids -- when one monster gets a child's sock on him the whole factory panics and biohazard workers quarantine and shave him. Young kids may need help understanding what the monsters in yellow suits are doing to him and why. Note: The 3-D version amps up the intensity.
- Families can talk about what Sulley learns about kids and how he changes the factory for the better in the end.
- They can also talk about how each kid was scared by a certain kind of monster. Why was Boo scared of Randall and not Sulley? Why was Sulley considered such a top-notch scarer then?
- What would make you laugh the hardest if it came out of your closet?
The good stuff
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Educational value: More for entertainment than education, though kids might learn a bit about factory work and how adults deal with hazards, like potential contamination (in this case, by children).
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Messages: Strong messages of friendship and that facing fears is a positive thing.
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Role models: A monster learns to make kids laugh instead of scare them. Monsters try to do the right thing and protect a little girl.
What to watch for
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Violence and scariness: Comic peril, cartoon violence. The monsters are terrified of children for most of the film, which takes out some scariness. In the scariest climactic scene, the scary villain monster straps a toddler to a chair to catch her screams in a machine and she appears very frightened. Her monster friend saves her.
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Sexy stuff: Some flirting and discussion of dating.
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Language: Not an issue
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Consumerism: This movie is part of the Disney-Pixar dynasty, with plenty of merchandise associated with the film. Toy Story toys are on the floor in one child's room.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Loved it by Kilgi
I never saw this the first time it was out and I absolutely loved this movie. the #d is great as well and definitely adds to the experience.
4
Monsters Inc. 3d by wnicks2
If you saw this the first time around, you should go check it out in 3D. Mike's fur looks even furrier (and closer), and the conveyor belt scene at the end is more like a roller coaster.
1
Just another 3D Gimmick by movieseacher35
Great movie as always but the 3D is totally unnecessary and not a good conversion. Save your money rent it for a dollar in 2D.
4
Worth seeing again in 3D--but pricey! by VicPicMisterP
Monsters, Inc. 3D is worth seeing again in 3D--but pricey!
After gas, tickets for 4, popcorn, sodas, and fruit snack candies, the total was $80.
It will be Cable TV for me from now on...
4
Old is New Again! by parkroyk
Having seen this movie about 10 times with my kids before, I didn't have a lot of expectations of watching the 3D version; after all, how much "better" is it going to be? I must say I was pretty satisfied, even though it wasn't cheap!
The usual problem with "3D" movies is that the effects are over exaggerated, and they can look somewhat 2.5D (layers of flat characters/objects). I think folks at Pixar did a great job, making the movie not trying to be so "3D" - it just felt VERY natural. I am pretty sure they also re-rendered the movie in a much higher resolution too; things looked very sharp when they were supposed to.
My one criticism is the textures on eyes. I don't know if anyone noticed, but many of the eyeballs had simple curved 2D textures, and not a fully modeled in 3D. That made characters seem very cheap and cartoonish in some scenes. Perhaps Pixar didn't have time to remodel those, but given the re-release, that we pay full price for, I think they should have.
1
Still a great movie for all ages, but 3D was non-existent... by ajlaffey
If you love the movie, save you're self the extra cost of the 3D tickets and buy the BlueRay DVD for the family. We were not impressed by the 3D at all. It's still a great movie, just not worth the extra $$$ for the 3D.
4
The story was good, the 3D, almost not noticeable. by a44lee
This has always been a great story and my two 7 years olds, their grandparents and I loved it. Clearly Disney/Pixar remade it in 3D to release it again and make a pile of cash. The 3D was almost non existent. The story, great.
4
Good movie
Took my daughter. It was her first movie and she did sleep through some of it, but she enjoyed what she saw. I've always loved the movie and seeing it in 3D was like watching it for the first time. Loved it!
3
Eh - it was okay
Good for kids or adults bringing kids ... although the family of 7 seated behind us, I don't recall hearing the kids laugh at all - the entire time. So, I'd check with a kid to see if they liked it to be sure.
3
Ehh..
I gave it a so-so but if there was an option for "Love the movie, not worth the money for 3D" I would have gone with that. Several times I forgot it was in 3D! The last 10-15 mins were the best, 3D wise. It is still the same great movie but not worth the $40 we spent to see it in 3D.