Movie Review: Monsters University (Confirmed: Great and a 1/2)
Welcome to Monsters University!
The answer is a roaring yes. There are countless examples in cinema of sequels
surpassing their predecessor, but not many examples (if any at all) of prequels
surpassing the original, which is exactly what Monsters University does.
This is all made possible by the choice of a brilliant premise from Pixar and
Disney. What drove Monsters, Inc. was the
friendship between Mike (Billy Crystal) and Sulley (John Goodman), so why not
explore how the two monsters became best buds?
Better yet, why not do it in a college setting?
Even Pixar characters partied in college!
The college setting is what gives Monsters University its own unique feel and separates it from the original. This works really well
for this franchise because the kids that grew up watching the original are now
college age and facing similar challenges to the ones Mike and Sulley face at
Monsters U. Pixar’s decision to embrace
Monsters University as its definitive college film kept this film entertaining
from start to finish. The fact that so
many college tropes are brilliantly covered in a G-rated Disney film is truly
masterful and will bring a smile to anyone who has ever experienced college
life, both inside and outside of the classroom.
A glimpse at the college stereotypes with the superb voice acting behind them in Monsters University!
The larger collection of monsters on the college
campus also opens up the door for many superb voice performances. Voice performances that include: Charlie Day
(Art), Aubrey Plaza (Claire Wheeler), Helen Mirren (Dean Hardscrabble), Alfred
Molina (Professor Knight), Bill Hader (The Ref.), and John Krasinski (Frightening
Frank McCay). Even better, each voice actor’s
particular character matches that actors personality nearly perfectly, resulting
in superb voice casting on Pixar’s part.
Overall, Monsters
University is Pixar’s best second look at their characters after Toy Story 3. Like all good Pixar films you will laugh and
cry, this time as you are coming of age with Mike and Sulley.
Confirmed: Great and a 1/2
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