Monsters Inc. offers lessons on fixing capitalism

Don’t be misled by the animation; ‘Monsters, Inc.’ carries a deeper message than you might recall. While many see the film as a charming buddy adventure featuring Sully, Mike, and Boo, it actually delves into more profound themes. Beyond the surface, ‘Monsters, Inc.’ is a tale of confronting a corrupt oligarchy in Monstropolis and the transformative power of friendship in dismantling a monopoly.

The Capitalist Corruption Within ‘Monsters, Inc.’ Contrary to the belief that this beloved children’s film merely conveys the message that “making kids laugh is better than making them cry,” it harbors a story of political corruption and the efforts of unlikely heroes to save their community. From the outset, the film establishes a critical context that may have been overlooked due to its seemingly idyllic facade. Monsters, Inc. serves as the sole energy provider for all of Monstropolis’s resources, proudly declaring, “We power your car, warm your house, light up your city.” While this statement underscores the importance of their role, it also highlights their unchecked control. Imagine a scenario where your electricity provider, gas company, and even the fuel stations for your vehicles were all owned by the same family and fueled by the same resource. It represents a monopoly of unprecedented proportions, with the entire city dependent on this singular entity to function.

Beneath the surface of this monopoly lies deep-seated corruption, embodied by the infamous Henry J. Waternoose. He may have appeared as a typical evil oil tycoon with his multiple eyes and legs, but his monstrosity stemmed from unbridled greed for control over the city. Waternoose was a product of nepotism, handed the position of CEO due to his family’s longstanding legacy in running both the company and the city. Across generations, his family maintained a stranglehold on Monstropolis’s infrastructure, monopolizing the resource acquisition market without concern for sustainability or ethical considerations. This nepotism within the organization underscores the consolidation of power within a select few. Given that the city’s entire functioning relied on scream power, Waternoose effectively placed himself at the helm of an oligarchy, holding the most critical resource for monsterkind hostage.

The same selfishness that brought power to the Waternoose family eventually led to their downfall. Scaring children had become increasingly challenging, with youngsters growing desensitized to violence thanks to television and media in the human world. As a result, they were producing less scream energy. Faced with a resource shortage, Waternoose abandoned ethics and devised a reckless plan to kidnap children for extensive scream extraction. He even resorted to threats and violence to maintain his grip on power.

The morality of using children’s screams was always questionable, but within the context of a world inhabited by monsters, it was easier for audiences to suspend disbelief. At the time, there was a genuine belief that humans posed a significant threat to monsters, with fears ranging from the spread of sickness to laser-beam-shooting eyes. Although we now understand these fears to be unfounded, the residents of Monstropolis genuinely believed in these exaggerated threats. Waternoose, however, was willing to jeopardize the lives of all the city’s inhabitants to retain his power and uphold his company’s dominance.

Mike and Sully Challenge the CDA’s Monopoly With the support of the Child Detection Agency (CDA), Mike and Sully managed to dismantle the monopoly, akin to a sore loser flipping a board game table in defeat. As the oligarch was apprehended, he tried to shift the blame for the city’s imminent decline onto Sully, suggesting that the inevitable destruction of Monstropolis rested on his shoulders. There might have been some truth to Waternoose’s words. He had made the city entirely reliant on scream energy, and without his company, there would be no power, potentially resulting in hundreds losing their jobs. The duo faced a moral dilemma – continue scaring children to maintain their livelihoods or cease and risk unemployment. Either choice carried negative consequences.

However, Waternoose’s statement was as flawed as his values. Mike and Sully didn’t merely do something good; they stumbled upon something exponentially better. When Sully bid farewell to Boo, it marked one of the last times tears would be shed inside Monsters, Inc. Mike’s innate comedic talent proved to be far more effective for energy generation. They discovered that laughter was not only ten times more powerful than screams but also ethically superior. Replacing scarers with comedians was akin to replacing fossil fuels with clean energy. These unintentional environmentalists transformed the city’s primary revenue source into a product that didn’t harm its producers. The conflict and resolution of this deeper theme demonstrated a profound shift in the economy.

While the film doesn’t explore the post-transition Monstropolis in great detail, it hints at a place filled with joy and happiness. Children no longer needed to be scared, yet the city continued to power its vehicles, warm its homes, and illuminate its streets. ‘Monsters, Inc.’ masterfully weaved a tale of family and friendship while delivering allegories about the dangers of oligarchies and the advantages of laughter. It serves as a reminder that beneath the whimsical surface of animated storytelling lies the potential for profound social commentary.

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