Set to rebound with a sequel to one of their more popular films, Pixar is going round two in the sequel, err prequel, realm with their latest colorful and wonderful adventure Monsters University, directed by Dan Scanlon.
Monsters University starts off with a charming opening with Mike (Billy Crystal) as a child and how he develops his dream to become a scarer and get into the scare program at Monsters U. Upon acceptance, Mike arrives on campus and becomes roommates with his eventual enemy Randy (Steve Buscemi), together they attend their first class where Sullivan (John Goodman) is introduced as an egotistical jock riding on the coattails of his family’s name. After Sully stumbles into Mike’s room and then puts him down in front of the top scare fraternity on campus, Mike becomes determined to beat Sully and remain in the scare program. Eventually, things go wrong for both as one has the brains while the other has the scare factor and soon both fail out of the scare program. Determined to get back into the program, the duo join the lamest fraternity on campus, Oozma Kappa (OK), to compete in the Scare Games and make a bet with their creepy dean (Helen Mirren) that if they win they can be in the program, but if they lose they must leave the university. As you can imagine wild and hilarious shenanigans occur while lessons are learned and each monsters grows into the ones we know and love from Monsters Inc.
Much like some of the best Pixar films out there, Monsters University takes us on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, delivering an all around quality film that represents the rebound Pixar fans have been waiting for (even though I really liked Brave). The film teaches us about giving people a chance to prove their worth, to be honest, not to be (too) egotistical and why teamwork is such an important tool in life when trying to get things done.
Unlike in Monsters Inc. where most of the laughs were derived from Mike, Sully, and Boo, Monsters University spreads the love out with a slew of supporting characters that deliver a handful of laughs each and all with distinctive traits that make them very useful once they realize their potential. Most notably, the outside laughs come from the hodgepodge of a fraternity that they join which is comprised of monsters that have, at one time or another, been rejected from the Scare Program. Think of them like the PG version of Luke Wilson’s fraternity in Old School except that they live in one of the brothers’ mother’s house.
One of my favorite aspects of every Pixar film is the level of detail
that they put into their productions, particularly the set designs, look, and twists on dialogue. The movie is absolutely stunning to watch with every color imaginable making an appearance on the screen at any given moment along with funny details like various plays on brands and names featured throughout. Plus, as much as I hate the medium I would actually recommend the 3D, it’s great.
If you don’t leave with a smile on your face after seeing Monsters University there is a good chance you have no soul. It’s an adorable film that isn’t necessarily as good as the original but it sure as hell comes close and is one of those crowd pleasers that the whole family can enjoy together or that a grown man can enjoy by himself, there are no barriers with this heartfelt and charming animated feature so be sure to check it out this weekend.
Rating: A very cute, heartwarming and highly enjoyable prequel that can stand up to the original while also being a solid film in its own right (7.3/10)
As a P.S. the film opens with a sweet short titled The Blue Umbrella which is in line with the last Disney animated short, The Paper Man, in its sweetness and relationship based charm.
Recent Comments