Analysis of opening sequnce to Monsters Inc

Narrative: From the opening sequence of Monsters Inc we are given clues about the narrative straight away as it shows all the different doors and shows them opening and closing giving the idea that the film may be about going through different doors. Also during the title sequence many of the doors open to reveal monsters and creatures behind them also hinting that this could be what the whole film is based around. As the titles come onto the screen the monsters behind the doors are seen leaving one door and then entering another, and swapping through different doorways linking to the idea later on that all the doors are linked and can be made to come out anywhere. We enter the first scene through one of the doors and are brought into a childs bedroom where a child is being put to sleep which gives us the idea that the film will be to do with children asleep in their beds at night and the idea of monsters behind closed doors.

Characters: We are first introduced to the character of the monster 'Phlegm' as he approaches the boys bed, preparing to scare him as a stereotypical monster would. However, when the child screams this scares Phlegm and caused him to scream too. This is not the reaction we would normally expect from a monster and is challenging the stereotype of the usual terrifying monster character. This gives us clues towards the fact that in the rest of the film the monsters are actually scared of the children. We are also introduced to the monsters behind the simulation of the child's bedroom and it shows how they have created a business from the idea of scaring children.

Genre: This film is a hybrid as it has aspects of a number of different genres. From the title sequence we get the impression that it is horror from the monsters and the creepy feeling of the claws and eyes that are behind the doors. This is also apparent during the soundtrack as the music is interrupted with sharp high pitched screams. Also as Phlegm approaches the child's bed this is also a convention of a horror as his eyes are glowing red in the darkness. However, as he is scared he falls over and knocks into lots of objects around the room giving the sequence a comical edge. All of the doors at the beginning give the sense of an adventure as they all lead somewhere and the monsters can enter through certain doors and exit through different ones.