Monsters University (2013)

Monsters Inc was the 4th movie which Pixar made in 2001. The story about monsters who scared children at night to generate energy for their own world was a big hit. The main characters of the movie, Sully (John Goodman) and Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) had a believable connection en the little girl in the movie, Boo, won over many hearts. The movie also brought new technical implementation with realistically simulating Sully’s hair en Boo’s clothing. With Monsters University Pixar returns to this world. The question is whether this prequel will manage to reach the high bar set by Monster Inc.

The story is set before the events of Monsters Inc.en shows how Mike and Sully got to know each other at university. Mike has been dreaming of a career as a scarer ever since his first visit to the Monster Inc. factory when he was a little monster. Het has made it his life goal en is very happy he will be able to go to university to study for it. On campus he quickly notices there is a lot of competition and not everyone believes that he has got what it takes. Sully is also new on campus, but since his father was a famous scarer. This means that everyone assumes he is a natural and will easily follow in his fathers footsteps. He also believes that and doesn’t spend much time studying and just having fun, trying to get into the most prestigious fraternity on campus. Because of their differences it’s hard for Sully and Mike to get along, but through circumstances they are convicted to each other and they will have to prove themselves during the Scare Games.

That Pixar is at the top of its game when it comes to technology it proves with the short film The Blue Umbrella which plays in front of the film, with almost photorealistic images of New York. They know how to create a specific atmosphere and Monsters University isn’t any different. Pixar copies the feeling of other movies set on a campus. There are wild parties, the popular groups and the nerds and of courses the classes which need to be followed. The movie shows that there are various paths you can follow to eventually get a job at Monsters Inc, whether if that is as a scarer or a doorbuilder or scream bottle designer. The university has been beautifully realised with small details in every place making it obvious that you are in a world of monsters. The situations Mike and Sullivan end up in are entertaining and the group they are part of very funny. The story about “the losers” having to defeat the best ones is not original, but the way it is told is, which results in some very entertaining competition. The Chemistry between Goodman and Crystal is still present and a joy to watch. The movie does lack the same emotional power the first movie had (and therefore does not reach the same level). The movie is lighter but still has a clear message about realising your dreams.