"Actor: John Good"

  • Raising Arizona [Blu-ray] [1987]Raising Arizona | Blu Ray | (03/06/2013) from £8.00   |  Saving you £4.99 (62.38%)   |  RRP £12.99

    Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter and John Goodman lead an all-star cast in Ethan and Joel Coen's celebrated comedy. Once he decides to give up crime, a small-time robber (Cage) proposes to a pretty cop (Hunter). But when the newlyweds learn they can't conceive a baby, they decide to steal one from a couple who seem to have one to spare - since they just had quintuplets! With its outrageous plot, fast-paced action and even some wild pyrotechnics, Raising Arizona will forever have a place in the hearts of lovers - and film lovers - everywhere.

  • The Flintstones [Blu-ray]The Flintstones | Blu Ray | (12/06/2017) from £38.83   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

    This pleasant, lightweight live-action version of the popular cartoon is about as good as you might expect. The kids should love the broad humour and the Henson Studios creatures but like The Addams Family movies, the look and the cast are the best things going for it. Considering that the nature of the material is so sparse, the thinly plotted story works better than other TV-to-movie fare. Our fabulous Stone Age man is promoted per a calculated move by a scheming exec (Kyle MacLachlan, whose casting ensured at least one cute guy). As a comedy, the humour is one-note and flat for anyone older than 12. The special-effects creatures look wondrous, though not as seamless as in other movies, such as in Roger Rabbit. The most joyous moments come during the full-scale re-creations of the famous credits. The Flintstones provided a major launching pad for Halle Berry as a vamping secretary. --Doug Thomas

  • The Borrowers [Blu-ray]The Borrowers | Blu Ray | (20/06/2016) from £9.99   |  Saving you £10.00 (100.10%)   |  RRP £19.99

    The popular children's books by Mary Norton have been filmed before, but never with as much imagination and ingenuity as you'll find on display in this delightful fantasy film released to critical praise in 1998. The eponymous Borrowers are a family of tiny people who live in the walls and under the floorboards in the homes of "normal-sized" humans; they earn their by "borrowing" the household items (string, food crumbs, buttons, and so on) needed to furnish their tiny hiding places and provide their meals. The little Clock family lives happily undisturbed in the home of an aged aunt, but when the aunt dies and her will is stolen by an unscrupulous lawyer (John Goodman), the Clocks face eviction and the frightening hazards of the outside world. Under the ingenious direction of Peter Hewitt, this simple, straightforward movie mixes comedy, adventure, and suspense with some of the cleverest special effects you've ever seen, taking full advantage of effects technologies to immerse you in the world of the tiny people. A climactic chase scene in a milk-bottling plant is a visual tour de force, and the movie's smart and dazzling enough to entertain parents and children alike. After its modest success in cinemas, The Borrowers stands a good chance of becoming a home-video favourite. --Jeff Shannon

  • Masked And Anonymous [2003]Masked And Anonymous | DVD | (10/05/2004) from £18.97   |  Saving you £0.01 (0.06%)   |  RRP £15.99

    Sometimes surprising, often baffling and occasionally entertaining, Masked and Anonymous is another in the long but not necessarily distinguished line of rock-star movie vehicles. Bob Dylan stars in this BBC Films coproduction as an alter ego of himself, ageing rocker Jack Fate, released from jail to play a benefit concert in an alternative America that is run down and ruled by a military dictator. When not singing he makes little impression, so it's fortunate that director Larry Charles surrounds him with a galaxy of excellent supporting players, including John Goodman, Jessica Lange, Penelope Cruz, Jeff Bridges, Mickey Rourke, Bruce Dern, Luke Wilson, Giovanni Ribisi and Val Kilmer--all of whom gave their services for free. The screenplay, cowritten by Dylan, is full of the kind of cryptic aphorisms familiar from his song lyrics: "What's bugging me?", remarks Jeff Bridges' character, "The absurdity of a lifetime of human labour, that's what's bugging me." "They have no ideology. They push both Jesus and Judas aside," says an anonymous bus driver, and there are plenty more didactic, speechy comments that even these veteran actors can't make sound natural or spontaneous. Better to focus on the music--both the songs Dylan performs on screen and those on the soundtrack, which consists mostly of foreign-language covers of Dylan classics. On the DVD: Masked and Anonymous on disc comes with a commentary track from director Larry Charles, who is good on the details of the shooting schedule, but vague about the movie's aspirations. There are some deleted scenes (none of which shed any more light on the plot), another Dylan performance, and a 20-minute "making of" featurette, with the many supporting stars waxing lyrical about the freewheeling shooting style and semi-theatrical staging. The anamorphic widescreen picture is unexceptional, as is the Dolby 5.1 soundtrack, which naturally enough works best with the music. --Mark Walker

  • Confessions Of A Shopaholic [Blu-ray] [2009]Confessions Of A Shopaholic | Blu Ray | (29/06/2009) from £6.98   |  Saving you £20.00 (501.25%)   |  RRP £23.99

    Based on the best selling novels, Confessions of a Shopaholic and Shopaholic Abroad by Sophie Kinsella, Confessions of a Shopaholic stars Isla Fisher (Wedding Crashers) as New York journalist and shopping addict Rebecca Bloomwood.

  • The Gambler [DVD]The Gambler | DVD | (01/06/2015) from £9.98   |  Saving you £12.00 (150.19%)   |  RRP £19.99

    Jim Bennett (Academy Award-nominee Mark Wahlberg) is a risk taker. Both an English professor and a high-stakes gambler, Bennett bets it all when he borrows from a gangster (Michael Kenneth Williams) and offers his own life as collateral.

  • Speed Racer [2008]Speed Racer | DVD | (10/11/2008) from £4.98   |  Saving you £11.01 (221.08%)   |  RRP £15.99

    Based on the classic 1960's Japanese animated series, Speed Racer chronicles the aspirations of a young race car driver as he attempts to obtain glory, with the help of his family and the Mach 5, the advanced car created by his father.

  • The Jungle Book 1 and 2 [Blu-ray]The Jungle Book 1 and 2 | Blu Ray | (05/08/2013) from £6.97   |  Saving you £19.59 (281.06%)   |  RRP £26.56

    The jungle has never looked so lush and sounded so good! Now on Blu-ray for the first time Disney's song-filled celebration comes vibrantly to life with a new digital restoration and glorious high definition picture. Meet the most unforgettable characters and embark on a thrilling adventure with Mowgli as he journeys deep into the jungle and learns 'The Bare Necessities' of life from happy-go-lucky Baloo the bear. Meet Bagheera the wise old panther and crazy King Louie the orang-utan. But watch out for cunning Shere Khan the tiger and Kaa the ssssneakiest snake in the jungle! Bursting with wild fun toe-tapping music and beloved characters this timeless masterpiece celebrates the true meaning of friendship. Experience all the excitement of Disney's jumpin' jungle classic and share the wonder with someone you love. Special Features: I Wan'na Be Like You: Hangin' Out At Disney's Animal Kingdom Alternate Ending Growing Up With Nine Old Men Audio Commentary With Composer Richard M. Sherman Animator Andreas Deja And The Voice Of Mowgli Bruce Reitherman Plus Guest Archival Appearances Backstage Disney The Bare Necessities: The Making Of The Jungle Book Walt's Lasting Impressions Kings Of The Jungle Drawn To The Voices The Jungle Beat The Last Act Disney's Kipling: Walt's Magic Touch On A Literary Classic The Lure Of 'The Jungle Book' Mowgli's Return To The Wild Frank and Ollie: Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston Discuss Character Animation Music and More Deleted Songs Composed By Terry Gilkyson Brothers All The Song Of The Seeonee The Bare Necessities (Demo Version) Monkey See Monkey Do I Knew I Belonged To Her In A Day's Work The Mighty Hunters 'I Wan'na Be Like You' Music Video Performed By Jonas Brothers Sing Along With The Movie Introduction By Richard Sherman (for Int'l Only)

  • A Night To Remember [1958]A Night To Remember | DVD | (19/06/2007) from £5.49   |  Saving you £14.50 (264.12%)   |  RRP £19.99

    Two years after 20th Century Fox released its melodramatic disaster film Titanic in 1953, Walter Lord's meticulously researched book A Night to Remember surprised its publishers by becoming a phenomenal bestseller. Lord had an intuition that readers craved the reality of the Titanic disaster and not the romantically mythologised translations (like Fox's film, starring Barbara Stanwyck), which relied on fictional characters to "enhance" the world's worst maritime disaster. Lord's book proved that the truth was far more compelling than fiction, outlining the many "if onlys" (if only the iceberg had been spotted a few minutes earlier, etc.) that lent sombre irony to the loss of 1,500 Titanic passengers. Three years after Lord's book appeared, it was brought to the screen with the kind of riveting authenticity that Lord had insisted upon in his own research. The 1958 British production of A Night to Remember remains a definitive dramatization of the disaster, adhering to the known facts of the time and achieving a documentary-like immediacy that matches (and in some ways surpasses) the James Cameron epic released 39 years later. The film erroneously perpetuates the once-common belief that the Titanic sunk in one piece (instead of breaking in half as its bow began to plunge), but many other misconceptions are accurately corrected, and the intelligent screenplay by thriller master Eric Ambler is a model of factual suspense. By making Titanic the star of the film, director Roy Baker emphasises the excessive confidence of the booming industrial age and creates an intense you-are-there realism that pays tribute to Walter Lord's tenacious quest for truth. --Jeff Shannon

  • Pixar Boxset [Blu-ray] [Region Free]Pixar Boxset | Blu Ray | (11/11/2013) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £111.99

    Monsters Inc.Loveable Sulley (John Goodman) and his wisecracking sidekick Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) are the top scare team at Monsters Inc. the scream-processing factory in Monstropolis. When a little girl named Boo wanders into their world it's the monsters who are scared silly and it's up to Sulley and Mike to keep her out of sight and get her back home. Monsters UniversityThe story of how two mismatched monsters met and became lifelong friends in a movie screaming with laughter and oozing with heart. Ever since college-bound Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) was a little monster he has dreamt of becoming a Scarer-and he knows better than anyone that the best Scarers come from Monsters University (MU). But during his first semester at MU Mike's plans are derailed when he crosses paths with hotshot James P. Sullivan 'Sulley' (John Goodman) a natural-born Scarer. The pair's out-of-control competitive spirit gets them both kicked out of the University's elite Scare Program. With their dreams temporarily dashed they realise they will have to work together along with an odd bunch of misfit monsters if they ever hope to make things right. BraveTake a heroic journey with Merida a skilled archer and headstrong daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor. Determined to carve her own path in life Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the unruly and uproarious lords of the land. When Merida's actions inadvertently unleash chaos in the kingdom she must harness all of her skills and resources to undo a beastly curse before it's too late and discover the meaning of true bravery. CarsHotshot race car Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) is living life in the fast lane - until he hits a detour and gets stranded in Radiator Springs a forgotten town on Route 66. There he meets Sally Mater Doc Hudson (Paul Newman) and a heap of hilarious characters who help him discover there's more to life than trophies and fame. Feel the sound of roaring engines and rock to the rhythm of some smokin'roadhouse riffs. Cars 2Star race car Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship to exciting new places when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world's fastest car. But the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes detours and hilarious surprises when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage! Toy StoryAn astonishing world where toys play while their owners are away. Woody (Tom Hanks) Buzz Light-year (Tim Allen) and all their friends in an adventure filled with humour heart and friendship. This groundbreaking computer-generated classic started it all and set the stage for the equally amazing Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3. Toy Story 2While Andy is away at summer camp Woody is toy napped by Al a greedy collector who needs Andy's favourite toy to complete his Roundup Gang collection. Together with Jessie Bull's-eye and the Prospector Woody is on his way to a museum where he'll spend the rest of his life behind glass. It's up to Buzz Mr. Potato Head Hamm Rex and Slinky Dog to rescue their friend and remind him what being a toy is all about. Toy Story 3In Toy Story 3 Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) Buzz Light-year (voiced by Tim Allen) and the rest of the Toy Story gang return for a new adventure along with a few new faces - some plastic some plush - including Barbie's counterpart Ken (voiced by Michael Keaton) a thespian hedgehog named Mr. Pricklepants (voiced by Timothy Dalton) and a strawberry-scented bear named Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear (voiced by Ned Beatty). As Andy prepares to depart for college Woody Buzz Jessie and the rest of Andy's faithful toys wonder what will become of them. But when a mix-up lands them at Sunnyside Day care. UpCarl Fredricksen a retired balloon salesman is part rascal part dreamer who is ready for his last chance at high-flying excitement. Tying thousands of balloons to his house Carl sets off to the lost world of his childhood dreams. Unbeknownst to Carl Russell an overeager 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer who has never ventured beyond his backyard is in the wrong place at the wrong time - Carl's front porch! The world's most unlikely duo reach new heights and meet fantastic friends like Dug a dog with a special collar that allows him to speak and Kevin a rare 13-foot-tall flightless bird. Stuck together in the wilds of the jungle Carl realises that sometimes life's biggest adventures aren't the ones you set out looking for. Wall-EAfter hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for the curious and lovable WALL-E discovers a new purpose in life when he meets a sleek search robot named EVE. Join them and a hilarious cast of characters on a fantastic journey across the universe. RatatouilleIn one of Paris' finest restaurants Remy a determined young rat dreams of becoming a renowned French chef. Torn between his family's wishes and his true calling Remy and his pal Linguini set in motion a hilarious chain of events that turns the City of Lights upside down. Ratatouille is a rare treat you'll enjoy again and again. The IncrediblesKnown to the world as superheroes Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl Bob Parr and his wife Helen were among the world's greatest crime fighters saving lives and battling evil on a daily basis. Fifteen years later they have been forced to adopt civilian identities and retreat to the suburbs to live 'normal' lives with their three kids Violet Dash and Jack-Jack. Itching to get back into action Bob gets his chance when a mysterious communication summons him to a remote island for a top secret assignment. He soon discovers that it will take a super family effort to rescue the world from total destruction. Finding NemoIn the depths of the Great Barrier Reef Marlin (Albert Brooks) an overly protective clownfish embarks on a daring rescue mission when his beloved son Nemo gets scooped up by a diver. With his unforgettable friend Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) by his side Marlin encounters an ocean full of memorable comedic characters on his momentous journey - to find Nemo. A Bug's LifeOn behalf of 'oppressed bugs everywhere ' an inventive ant named Flik hires 'warrior bugs' to defend his colony from a horde of greedy grasshoppers led by Hopper. But when Flik's cavalry turns out to be a motley group of flea circus performers the stage is set for comic confusion... as well as unlikely heroes! Cars Toon: Mater's Tall TalesCars Toons starring Mater the loveable and hilarious tow-truck from the hit movie Cars. Nine highly entertaining 'Tall Tales' involving bull fights drag races rock concerts monster truck showdowns and even UFOs. Join Mater the heart and soul of Radiator Springs! Includes Pixar Shorts: Volume 1 and 2

  • Cloverfield / 10 Cloverfield Lane (Double Pack) [Blu-ray] [2016]Cloverfield / 10 Cloverfield Lane (Double Pack) | Blu Ray | (25/07/2016) from £5.85   |  Saving you £4.14 (70.77%)   |  RRP £9.99

    Cloverfield: A group of friends venture deep into the streets of New York on a rescue mission during a rampaging monster attack. 10 Cloverfiel Lane: Waking up from a car accident, a young woman finds herself in the basement of a man who says he's saved her life from a chemical attack that has turned all females over the age of 36 into a soft vaporous liquid, which can be utilized as a disinfectant.

  • The Coen Brothers CollectionThe Coen Brothers Collection | DVD | (13/12/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £39.99

    A collection of films from acclaimed Oscar-winning siblings Joel and Ethan Coen. The Big Lebowski: The Dude Jeff Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) is unemployed and laid-back. That is until he becomes a victim of mistaken identity two thugs breaking into his apartment in the errant belief that they are accosting Jeff Lebowski the Pasadena millionaire. In hope of getting a replacement for soiled carpet the Dude visits his wealthy namesake and with buddy ex `Nam' veteran Walter (Joh

  • A Touch of Frost: Series 10A Touch of Frost: Series 10 | DVD | (18/10/2004) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £24.99

    A tenth series of investigations featuring gruff detective Frost (David Jason). Includes Hidden Truth Close Encounters and Held In Trust.

  • The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle [2001]The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle | DVD | (22/10/2001) from £6.73   |  Saving you £13.26 (197.03%)   |  RRP £19.99

    Classic TV cartoon characters Rocky and Bullwinkle come to the big screen to battle their old foes, who have come across to the real world!

  • The Internship/ The Watch/ Dodgeball [DVD]The Internship/ The Watch/ Dodgeball | DVD | (27/10/2014) from £13.48   |  Saving you £1.51 (10.10%)   |  RRP £14.99

    THE INTERNSHIP Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson team up to crash the digital world in this laugh-out-loud buddy comedy that clicks! Trying to reboot their obsolete careers old-school salesmen Billy (Vaughn) and Nick (Wilson) talk their way into an internship programme at the state-of-the-art Google campus vying for a handful of spots among tech-savvy college students who are half their age and twice as smart. The competition is fiercely funny as Billy and Nick break all the rules in a hilarious quest to land the dream jobs they’ve been searching for! THE WATCH Ben Stiller Vince Vaughn Jonah Hill and Richard Ayoade take male bonding to hilarious new heights in this outrageous no-holds-barred comedy that gets funnier every time you watch! There’s trouble brewing in peaceful Glenview Ohio. That’s why four civic-minded citizens armed with flashlights walkie-talkies and spiffy new jackets have teamed up to safeguard their community. But the guys find more than they bargained for when they uncover an alien plot to destroy Earth and now these bumbling heroes are Glenview’s only chance to save the neighbourhood — and the world — from annihilation! DODGEBALL You’ll dodge duck dip dive . . . and laugh out loud watching VINCE VAUGHN and BEN STILLER settle their differences in a winner-takes-all dodgeball competition. Under the painful tutelage of legendary ADAA champ Patches O’Houlihan (Rip Torn) Peter LaFleur (Vaughn) and his Average Joes take on the Purple Cobras led by egomaniacal fitness guru White Goodman (Stiller). It’s an over-the-top underdog tale filled with hilarious gags and BALLS-OUT FUN!

  • Please Don't Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain [Blu-ray]Please Don't Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain | Blu Ray | (25/03/2024) from £9.99   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

    In PLEASE DON'T DESTROY: THE TREASURE OF FOGGY MOUNTAIN, John Goodman narrates the adventure of Ben, Martin, and John, three childhood friends turned deadbeat co-workers, who fend off hairless bears, desperate park rangers and a hypocritical cult leader in the hopes of finding a priceless treasure, only to discover that finding the treasure is the easiest part of their journey. Oh, and Conan O'Brien plays Ben's dad in it. Produced by Judd Apatow (Superbad) and Jimmy Miller (Bad Teacher), and stars Martin Herlihy, John Higgins, and Ben Marshall - aka the Please Don't Destroy guys, and directed by Paul Briganti (Saturday Night Live)

  • Cloverfield / 10 Cloverfield Lane (Double Pack) [DVD] [2016]Cloverfield / 10 Cloverfield Lane (Double Pack) | DVD | (25/07/2016) from £5.95   |  Saving you £-0.20 (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.75

    Cloverfield: A group of friends venture deep into the streets of New York on a rescue mission during a rampaging monster attack. 10 Cloverfiel Lane: Waking up from a car accident, a young woman finds herself in the basement of a man who says he's saved her life from a chemical attack that has turned all females over the age of 36 into a soft vaporous liquid, which can be utilized as a disinfectant. Bonus Features: Commentary by Director Dan Trachtenberg and Producer J.J. Abrams Cloverfield Too (9:01) Bunker Mentality (3:46) End of Story (2:40)

  • Argo [Blu-ray] [Region Free]Argo | Blu Ray | (04/03/2013) from £7.79   |  Saving you £-0.57 (-7.90%)   |  RRP £7.22

    Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Set against the Iranian hostage crisis of 1979 and 1980, Ben Affleck’s Argo is a nerve-jangling footnote to the birth of Ayatollah Khomeini’s Islamic Republic. The movie opens at the crest of the 1979 revolution--the storming of the US embassy in Tehran, and the escape of six diplomats to the precarious safety of the Canadian ambassador’s residence. To the rescue is Tony Mendez--a composed CIA agent whose heroism remained classified until 1997--and his state-approved plan to get the stranded embassy staff out of Iran under a brazen cover story: they’re an innocent film crew on a location hunt for the fake sci-fi blockbuster Argo. Hollywood is usually pressed into the service of the state in the name of comedy (either burying dictators in Team America: World Police or just bad news in Barry Levinson’s Wag the Dog), but Argo is a true story, and the tone of Affleck's Oscar-winning script is carefully split, switching between mounting tension in consular Tehran and a satire of the Hollywood machine as fronted by Alan Arkin and John Goodman--two raffish producers hired by Mendez to reverse-engineer some convincing buzz for the Argo movie. Affleck himself takes the role of Mendez, the steady-eyed agent betting everything on Hollywood’s age-old efficiency at creating a media circus for a project long before it exists. ‘History starts out as farce and ends up a tragedy’, remarks Goodman, but Argo ends on a patriotic upbeat, and doesn’t reflect much on history. It politely nods at the context of Iran’s attitude to the West, and we’re told about but not shown--bar the blank rage of the revolutionary mob--Iran’s anger at the Westerly flow of resources under Shah Pahlavi. Instead, Argo concentrates on the eggshell complexities of deception in plain sight, including a climactic set-piece in which Mendez’ team must fend their way through layers of suspicious Iranian airport security--with imminent capture, execution and political calamity only on the other side of their paper-thin pretext. It may have the ring of historical escapism, but Argo holds its nerve as a great Hollywood escape. --Leo Batchelor /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}

  • Letter From An Unknown WomanLetter From An Unknown Woman | DVD | (18/09/2006) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £19.99

    In turn of the century Vienna a dashing man arrives at his flat instructing his manservant that he will leave before morning: the man is Stefan Brand (Louis Jourdan) formerly a concert pianist planning to leave Vienna to avoid a duel. His servant gives him a letter from an unknown woman. In the letter he experiences the lifelong passion of Lisa Berndle for him: first as a girl who was his neighbor; next as a young woman who in secret has his child; then as a mature woman who meets him again and abandons husband and son to be with him. Each time he does not remember who she is or that they have ever met. By morning he has finished the letter and her husband awaits satisfaction..... This haunting tale is perhaps cinema's greatest unrequited love story and is considered to be one of Ophuls' great masterpieces.

  • Monsters, Inc. --Widescreen Two Disc Collector's Edition [2002]Monsters, Inc. --Widescreen Two Disc Collector's Edition | DVD | (07/09/2002) from £4.96   |  Saving you £20.03 (403.83%)   |  RRP £24.99

    The monsters in Monsters, Inc. are just so incredibly cute--and they know it. Whereas Woody, Buzz and pals in the Toy Story saga were filled with self-doubt about just how much the children in their lives would continue to love them, here our heroic monsters and their impossibly lovable human ward Boo have no such worries, at least when it comes to the cinema audience. And that's why Monsters, Inc., for all its wondrous computer-animated artistry, its smart humour and its family-friendly appeal, doesn't quite capture the naïve charm of its predecessors. Nevertheless, John Goodman and Billy Crystal, as scare-champions Sulley and Mike, are a great double-act whose comedy never goes over kids' heads but still reaches up to make their parents laugh. The film's central conceit--that monsters in the bedroom closet are just doing a night's work in order to generate power from screams for the city of Monstropolis--is funny and cleverly worked out; and kids will of course love the fact that the monsters are mortally afraid of the very children they are trying to frighten. The animation is extraordinarily detailed (Sulley's fur is a marvel in itself) and the set-piece action sequences top anything that has gone before for sheer audaciousness. But overall Pixar play things very safe, from the hissable villain to the end credit "outtakes". A bolder film might have taken inspiration from The Nightmare Before Christmas; instead, a little of that Disney disease of knowing cuteness seems to have crept into the formula. --Mark Walker

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