Monsters University

Welcome to another episode of Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is Monsters University.

Directed by Dan Scanlon.

Written by Dan Scanlon, Daniel Gerson & Robert L. Baird.

Screen Story written by Daniel Gerson, Robert L. Baird & Dan Scanlon.

Review #220

MPAA Rating: Rated G All Audience Admitted.

Run Time: 104 min

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Cast

Billy Crystal...Mike (voice)

John Goodman...Sullivan (voice)

Steve Buscemi...Randy (voice)

Helen Mirren...Dean Hardscrabble (voice)

Peter Sohn...Squishy (voice)

Joel Murray...Don (voice)

Sean Hayes...Terri (voice)

Dave Foley...Terry (voice)

Charlie Day...Art (voice)

Alfred Molina...Professor Knight (voice)

Tyler Labine...Greek Council VP (voice)

Nathan Fillion...Johnny Worthington (voice)

Aubrey Plaza...Claire Wheeler (voice)

Bobby Moynihan...Chet (voice)

Noah Johnston...Young Mike (voice)

In the eyes of many. Pixar studios can do no wrong. I am in the minority of that opinion but overall Pixar has been and continues to be the powerhouse animated film studio. Despite it's never ending cycle of hits, Pixar has begun to cheat a bit with their library. After the AMAZING Up. Pixar decided to go the sequel route. Cars 2, Toy Story 3 were next. Then came Brave which wasn't a sequel but felt like one because of the similar message the film carried.

Then came the announcement of Finding Nemo 2 now titled Finding Dory. This came on the heels of the soon to be released Monsters University. So instead of making more original content, Pixar has gone back to the classics and retread them. Monsters University is technically a prequel which if they had to do a second film was the only way to go. Before the lights went out I was concerned how it would play out.

I should have known better because this film ROCKED!

Plot

A look at the relationship between Mike and Sulley during their days at Monsters University when they weren't necessarily the best of friends. 

Since Monsters Inc. ended pretty definitively, the options for a sequel were null and void. The only way the franchise could continue was go the prequel route. A risky move because you're asking the audience to forget what they know about these characters and see them through much younger eyes. With that being said, if anyone could do it.

Pixar can.

And how did they pull this off? By going way back to the beginning.

Monsters University introduced us to baby Mike Wazowski which gave you the impression that the film will revolve around him. Which it does. This was a no pun intended smart move. The last film though a Sully/Mike team up focused more on Sully and his bond with Boo. This time around we get a full Wazowski centered plot with Sully thrown in for effect and introduction. It's really hard for me to review Pixar films because they are so deep and I can't get into why. So instead I'll talk about what they got right.

And they got A LOT right.

First off, Monsters University brings back everyone that was of importance in the first film. Mike, Sully, Randall, Roz even the Yeti. This was nice to see. The writers did their homework and realized what made the first film so good and gave us more of that. Just on a much younger scale. Then to complement the old characters, the film introduces us to some really nice new ones. Dean Hardscrabble, Terry, Terri, Don, Squishy and Art are all fantastic here. They all give the film the necessary mojo to move the story along while keeping Sully and Mike close enough that we don't forget about them.

Next, the film does a GREAT job of keeping up with the little jokes that the first film had. Since this is a film set in a world populated by monsters there are some subtle and not so subtle references to the world and it's inhabitants and how they live. There are three examples I remember that illustrate my point. The first is a quick joke when the bell rings for class and a slug tries to race to the building so he's not late. He's huffing and puffing with all his might and going nowhere. It was hysterical to watch that poor slug kill himself and make no progress. This joke had more effect thanks to the editor knowing exactly the right amount of time to hold the shot. It lags just long enough that it's not overkill and still maintains it's comedic intent.

The second joke is another quick one. You're watching a monsters football game and you see a bunch of monsters running on the field getting ready to score when out of nowhere a giant thing runs over everyone including the ball carrier and runs in for a TD.

The final one is when the guys are trying to sneak into the Monsters Inc. factory and Squishy's mom waits for them in the van. She tells them she's gonna listen to her music while they are away. The window goes up and she turns on the radio and out comes this ear blasting heavy metal music that would rattle your brain. It's such a subtle joke but relevant to the world this film is in.

Brilliant.

Finally and most importantly. Monsters University delivers a message that fits adults as well as kids. This is a hallmark of Pixar films so why should this one be any different. The message in this film seems familiar because it has been presented to us in previous films but they found a way to freshen it up. Combine this with the insane amount of comedy and you have yourself another Pixar MASTERPIECE!

On the 5 star scale. Monsters University gets 4.5 stars with a "Worth Every Penny!" recommendation.

That's a wrap for today.

Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"