HOLLYWOOD - Time to do the Monsters mash.Wisely receiving a two-week jump on Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Monsters, Inc. looks set to effortlessly scare the aliens and ghosts that currently dominate the box office all the way back to whence they came.
This wonderful computer-animated escapade from Disney/Pixar should mesmerize the rugrats who adored the Toy Story yarns. Parents also will giggle at the misadventures of two friendly monsters, voiced by Billy Crystal and John Goodman, while enjoying nods to the likes of Armageddon and legendary stop-motion animation pioneer Ray Harryhausen.
That wide appeal will guarantee Monsters, Inc. the most lucrative opening since American Pie 2 bowed Aug. 10 with $45.1 million. Disney/Pixar can expect Monsters, Inc. to exceed the openings of such previous collaborations as Toy Story ($29.1 million) and A Bug's Life ($33.2 million), both of which benefited from a Thanksgiving holiday weekend debut. Toy Story 2 also opened during Thanksgiving, and consequently enjoyed a November-best $57.3 million opening. Monsters, Inc. won't topple Toy Story 2 by virtue of opening on a non-holiday weekend. Still, Disney/Pixar can count on an opening that will beat the month's second-highest opener, last year's Charlie's Angels ($40.1 million). Plus, showing the eagerly awaited Star Wars: Episode II--Attack of the Clones trailer before Monsters, Inc. can't hurt.
Monsters, Inc. will no doubt enjoy a two-week reign at the top of the box office, then take a tumble when blockbuster-in-waiting Harry Potter flies into theaters Nov. 17. Even then, Monsters, Inc. will likely serve as the alternative for parents who can't squeeze into one of the many thousands of screens showing Harry Potter. Monsters, Inc. should wind up with a total somewhere between Toy Story's $191.7 million and Toy Story 2's $245.8 million.
The brave souls going up against Monsters, Inc.: Jet Li and John Travolta. Both headline PG-13 rated thrillers, which should enable them to attract significant audiences, but martial arts sensation Li clearly holds an edge over the currently out-of-favor Travolta.