Everything I need to know, I learned from “Monsters Inc.”
There are two reasons that I feel like I should write about Monsters, Inc. today:
a) Monsters, Inc. is my favorite Pixar movie
b) It’s Billy Crystal’s birthday!
And honestly, everything about this movie is perfect. From the beautiful score to the fact that the song “If I Didn’t Have You” was Randy Newman’s first Oscar win, this movie deserves all of the attention it can get. That all being said, of course it is a Disney / Pixar movie and is PACKED full of life lessons.
EINTKILF Monsters, Inc.
There are jerks everywhere, but good people, too
One of the most important themes in Monsters, Inc. is the whole “good vs. evil” situation, not just in the major corporation being exposed as corrupt (more on that in a minute) but in the simple fact that there are “good” monsters like Mike and Sully and “bad” monsters like Randall. In no way do I think it is easy to break people (or monsters, in this case) into a “good” category and a “bad” category, but we all know that some people (and monsters) are just inherently better people (or monsters). Randall is mean, selfish, and genuinely enjoys terrifying children. Though Sully and Mike are great at their jobs, and just based on Sully’s size alone, can scare kids pretty well, they both have moral issues with it. There will always be people (or monsters) who have a harder time seeing the immorality in a situation. But that’s OK—because there are always anti-jerks too.
How to be romantic
Before all hell breaks loose with the kid, Mike Wazowski has a wonderful birthday dinner planned for his love, Celia Mae. Mike puts a lot of time and energy into it, complimenting himself on his own romance skills–as we all should. I am no stranger to calling out my strong suits when it comes to the ol’ game of love. I also have absolutely no problem calling out my faults (bitter, needy, callous) either so let’s be real. Everyone deserves a compliment from time to time. Kids aren’t scary Though the entirety of Monsters, Inc. revolves around the idea that monsters scare kids to capture their screams and somehow make a profit off of that, it is important to note that one of the greatest lessons the monsters learn is that kids aren’t all that scary after all! When Mike and Sully meet and fall in love with Boo, it becomes pretty clear that kids aren’t all that terrifying after all. I mean, let’s be real, some kids are terrifying. Have you ever seen a horror movie? Take risks Sully puts his entire job (and life) on the line to return Boo to her home, and because what are friends for?, Mike goes alongside with him. Though the two do not see eye-to-eye during their entire journey, they both take huge risks in order to save Boo’s life. Though you may not have to put your job or life on the line at any point, it is important to learn from Mike and Sully and take risks in your own life. Hey, you never know what can happen! One day, you’re working at a mediocre job making children cry and the next, you’re changing their lives with your decent stand-up routine. (This probably won’t happen to you, I’m just saying–never say never.) Friendship is everything And speaking of Mike and Sully’s risks, these two wouldn’t have nothin’ if they didn’t have each other. Watching the two of them work together, from Sully’s workout routine to the depths of…wherever abominable snowmen live, is proof enough that friendship can outlast anything. Though Mike and Sully certainly have their differences, ultimately their friendship is the winner in importance.
