Search - Randy Newman :: Monsters, Inc.

Monsterously Good!

Bruce Aguilar | Hollywood, CA | 11/10/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Once again Randy Newman and PIXAR team up for another entertaining film soundtrack! The best cues from Monsters, Inc. are the six or so with jazz influences ('Monsters, Inc.' and 'Walk to Work' being my favorites). They give the film a distinctive sound and style that's immediately identifiable. I can imagine people listening to these cues more than most film scores since they're jazzy and don't have that 'film score' sound. The rest of the soundtrack is very good but not nearly as distinctive. If you enjoyed the Toy Story and A Bug's Life scores though, you're sure to enjoy this one too.Also included are two versions of the closing credits song 'If I Didn't Have You'. The first version is the one heard in the film, featuring John Goodman (Sully) and Billy Crystal (Mike) singing. It's a big, over the top and funny song which tries to be to this film what 'You've Got A Friend In Me' was for Toy Story 2. In fact, this song better suits the Toy Story films (espicially the first one), as being pals through thick and thin isn't really what Monsters, Inc. is all about. I enjoy the second version (Randy Newman singing with piano accompaniment) better as it's quiet, basic approach seems to convey the message much more honestly. I just it were a message that related more to the story of Monsters, Inc.If you hurry, you can purchase a numbered (up to 17,000) limited edition of the soundtrack at Disney stores and theme parks. There aren't any bonus tracks, but the CD comes in a fancy metal tin."

Great Soundtrac for a Great Movie

K. Kainula | Canada | 01/02/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sandwiched between the opening and closing numbers of the Monsters, Inc. soundtrack is the sort of far-reaching score we've come to expect from Randy Newman. Up, down, and all around, we swerve through the standard Disney scramble: there's a danger's-near ditty, a tearjerker, a rally-the-troops energizer, a plucky peek-a-boo number, and, as befits the hit Disney/Pixar movie, a hefty chunk of liveliness. But to say this soundtrack is nothing special would be to shrug off a solid effort from a musical legend. How easy can it be, after all, to stir so many moods as effectively as Newman does? He proves again his knack for making musical genius seem pedestrian. Fans of the movie will like eyeballing Billy Crystal's Cyclops character, Mike Wazowski, the sidekick to John Goodman's lead monster, James P. Sullivan (a.k.a. Sulley), on liner notes that unfold to a full-color poster, and they'll also enjoy the end-title buddy tune "If I Didn't Have You"."

A monstrously good soundtrack

Brandon Cutro | Tyler, Texas United States | 12/20/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Randy Newman delivers another great score to Monsters, Inc., another real life animated film from Pixar Studios. The music is similar to what he wrote for both Toy Story films. The song "If I Can't Have You" is not a bad one and won Newman his first academy award for best song. The track "Monsters, Inc." is the melody to the song in instrumental form with the big band, swinging style that Newman used in "A Bug's Life". Another theme for Sulley and Boo is featured throughout, most notably in "Boo's Going Home". The fun music occurs when the heroic parts set in as in "The Ride of the Doors" and "Enter the Heroes". Good old-fashioned mickey mousing is featured throughout almost every track, but it is found the most in "Boo's Adventures In Monstropolis". Percussive elements are found in a lot of the cues, most recognizable in the action cues to keep the music upbeat and lively. This score basically is broken into 3 areas: the big band, jazzy type music, large orchestral music, and mickey mousing type music (which is mimicking every little action that is on screen). The best type is the large orchestral music which Newman excels at. Lots of brass and percussion make up most of the cues on here for an enjoyable listening experience. I hope that Newman continues scoring these types of films because he always does a great job. This is fun and enjoyable music to listen to and I think you'll enjoy it."