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In recent years, most Disney films have sacrificed heart and human emotion for "look, no hands, ma!" animated virtuosity, manic "comedy" performances by the likes of Robin Williams, and sloshy musical numbers with one eye on a Best Song Oscar and the other on a #1 Hot 100 chart position.

Thankfully, "Monsters, Inc." rectifies the situation by being smart, witty, and cracking good fun--WITH a heart. Produced in association with Pixar, the visuals are stunning; you are actually tricked into thinking you're watching live action and certain points.

But savvy effects a good film does not make. Enter John Goodman and Billy Crystal, who give voice to the film's unlikely heroes: Sully, a teddy bear-ish, blue-and-purple monster who is the good natured "#1 Scarer" at Monsters, Inc.; and Mike, Sully's wisecracking, one-eyed best buddy and colleague. Goodman and Crystal are pitch-perfect together, making their characters' comfortable, affectionate banter sound easy and natural.

When Sully and Mike's lives are turned upside down by a "child security breach"--Sully accidentally lets a 4-year-old tyke into the monster world--the gags and action never stop. What's most effective, however, is the growing bond between Sully and "Boo," the nickname he gives to the toddler. It is sentimental and sweet without being manipulative or cloying, and offset by Mike's reactionary, seething resentment.

This movie has it all: lovable characters for the kids; witty visual and verbal gags aplenty for the adults; and a rollicking good story for everyone. Plus, the ending ranks among the best I've seen all year: I defy you not to be touched!

The title alone conjures up images of So-Bad-it's-Good hilarity, but

this is actually a well-made little thriller; at times, it approaches the

hypnotic.

There are actually some chills--minor, to be sure, by today's

standards, but a few scenes really got my pulse racing. And

speaking of setting hearts aflutter, Julia Adams is a raven-haired

beauty who gives Esther Williams more than a run for her money

in the bathing suit department, while Richard Carlson and Richard

Denning display surprisingly lean, fat-free physiques in their own

skimpy trunks.

But, of course, the real star is the Creature. The fantastic makeup

job is quite spectacular, given the time period. Even on land, the

costume maintains its scariness; I particularly like the eerie shots

of the caged Creature staring up from his cell through the bars.

The plot, as such, is ridiculous, of course--but we're thankfully

spared much of the ponderous "scientific explanations" that

hamper other sci-fi B flicks, and damage the very credibility that

such long-winded speeches are (supposedly) meant to establish.

Not too much time is spent pontificating on HOW this creature

came to be, or how he's survived, or why no one's seen him

before--the main goal is to keep from being the next victim of its

appetite.

The DVD edition comes with a pristine print, a fun "Back at the

Black Lagoon" documentary, and the always-fun theatrical trailers.

Definitely worth a look, and the epitome of 50's fun.