Monstropolis residents Mike Wazowski (voiced by Billy Crystal) and James P. Sullivan, nicknamed Sulley, (John Goodman) return to our screens in the 2013 venture MONSTERS UNIVERSITY. Released twelve years after the 2001 MONSTERS INC, the plot acts as a prequel to the original, and it maintains much of that classic Pixar charm.
The film opens to a young Mike Wazowksi as he takes a trip to Monsters Inc., the scare factory which lends its name to the film’s predecessor. Here he discovers his dreams of becoming a scarer. Inspired by one of the pros he encounters at the factory, he decides to follow in his footsteps — to study the Scaring Programme at Monsters University.
Once enrolled, however, the studious Mike finds he must compete with the lazy but naturally gifted Sulley. Unlike their later friendship, their college days begin with the duo taking an immediate disliking of one another. So much so that they become embroiled in an argument that causes expulsion for both. From a deal struck with the terrifying head of scaring, Dean Hardscrabble (voiced by Helen Mirren), they gain an opportunity to earn their place back onto the programme — but only if they can win the university’s annual ‘Scare Games’. However this involves not only working together, but also alongside a team of the university’s least scary outcasts.
Once again, Pixar somehow manages to bring a world of monsters into the normality of everyday life…
In traditional Pixar style, this is a piece to be enjoyed by all ages. The storyline is engaging, quick moving, and heart-warming; yet there is still a place for providing subtle humour, going straight over the heads of little ones and into the laughter of adults. MONSTERS UNIVERSITY features a handful of the original’s cast. Steve Buscemi’s MONSTERS INC. villain Randall “Randy” Boggs and Bob Peterson’s raspy voiced Roz make a welcome addition alongside new characters who successfully establish personalities of their own. The American college setting of the film is captured playfully from the overwhelming first day enthusiasm to the long haired monsters found dreamily playing the guitar on the grass. Once again, Pixar somehow manages to bring a world of monsters into the normality of everyday life.
Sure, it might not quite reach the dizzying Pixar heights of Monsters Inc.. It may not wow like the excellent sequel success of the Toy Story series. But these are high bars to reach. Sequences of the film, particularly during the scare games, feel a little more basic and a little less exciting than they should be. However, what MONSTERS UNIVERSITY does do is hold its own as an original and cleverly executed continuation of the wonderfully world first discovered in MONSTERS INC. Not a feat to be smirked at.
The film ends on a poignant and uplifting note, complete with a life lesson. Sulley, who is early on advised that “one frightening face does not a scarer make”, learns that natural talent will only get him so far. Hard-working Mike on the other hand may not accomplish his dreams, but instead discovers that his true talents might make him just as happy. MONSTERS UNIVERSITY,to conclude, is a charming animation that slots in nicely with its exuberant Pixar brothers and sisters.
MONSTERS UNIVERSITY screens on 2nd Sep at 6.00pm at the Cambridge Film Festival.