Great movie but not for younger kids with bedtime monster problems :)
My son was just under 5yo when he first saw this movie at a friend's house. It evoked bedtime monster issues the first week after he saw it. However, his younger brother (now 4) watches it with him with no problems so I think it depends on the child.
I can't think of a better way to help a child get over their "monster in the closet" phase. The movie depicts monsters as having very human-like traits--basically just like you and me except they look different. Monsters, Inc. is a great movie for teaching the value of friendship, hard work, and doing the right thing even though it hurts.
You could make Billy Crystal a serial killer in a movie and he'd still be Billy Crystal. This movie is no exception. His zany antics will leave even young kids howling in laughter. John Goodman's "papa bear" persona brings feelings of safety and security to the table as well. The friendship/camaraderie amongst them is very powerful and I think that's a good value that kids need to learn. Sully (Goodman) spend the whole movie trying to do the right thing and correct Randall's (Steve Buscemi) mistake. Randall, the bad guy, demonstrates that greed and vanity are bad, as he's constantly trying to be a more productive worker than Sully. Both monsters demonstrate a great work ethic (or in Randall's case a great desire to have a good work ethic), which is important for children to learn as well.
Having said all of that, parts of this movie will scare most young children...especially the first two minutes of the movie. Randall and his accomplice (Mr. Waternoose, voiced by the late, great James Coburn) are scary at times, but both demonstrate well the power of greed. The end of the movie offers that there are alternate and more ethical ways of making a living. It also demonstrates that doing the right thing is important, whether letting go of someone you love, or refusing to cheat in order to make it to the top.
All in all it's a phenomenal film. Disney really upped the ante on the upscaling of this one. The 1080p video of the Blu-Ray is stunning as is it's lossless HD-DTS soundtrack.
My 3 year old was not scared, but lots of "whys" and "hows". Since EVERYTHING is make-believe (monsters, capturing screams, monster city, free standing doors that open into a kids room etc.), he had a hard time understanding some of the plot.
tis movie is cute, funny, orignal,... but bare in mind kids that are under 5 might not understand the movie and probably will find it scary especially if that child is easily scared or is under the age of 4.
Parents will want to discuss why, at the end of the movie, when the plant was closing and workers' job were threatened, the workers didn't organize to operate the plant collectively, but allowed Sullivan to (mysteriously) become CEO.
My daughter wasn't scared of the monsters at all, but I could see where a younger or more "sensitive" child might be. As an adult, I really enjoy this movie. However, we don't allow name-calling in our house, and I know the words "idiot" and "jerk" are used in the movie.
LOVE and so does the whole family. WE can't stop laughing. A little scary at some parts with the kidnapping of Boo, but in the end it is all so so cute. The monsters turn out not to be so scary as thought to have been and the kids love monsters now and they have even wanted Sully or Mike to come into there room. Great Kid movie. Love your monsters!!!
I DONT LIKE THE FACT THAT THE BIG HAIRY MONSTER KEPT "TOUCHING" THE LITTLE GIRL... MY DAUGHTER WILL GO AROUND ANYTHING BLUE NOW... ALSO SHE DOESN'T TRUST HER CLOSET... DIAREA IS FUN FOR ALL AGES!!!
This is a wonderful film and we have all watched it several times. The dialogue is witty and funny, the messages are great and the animation and story is on the money.
Watched this for the first time with my 6 year old. We both really liked it. The monsters are all quite cute (even the scary ones). Some intense moments trying to keep the young girl safe and get her back home, but all-in-all very easy to talk about with him.