Monsters University Review

Director: Dan Scanlon

Cast: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Helen Mirren

Running time: 88 minutes

Certificate: 15

Synopsis: Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan are an inseparable pair, but that wasn’t always the case. From the moment these two mismatched monsters met they couldn’t stand each other. “Monsters University” unlocks the door to how Mike and Sulley overcame their differences and became the best of friends. Screaming with laughter and fun, “Monsters University” is directed by Dan Scanlon (“Cars,” “Mater and the Ghostlight,” “Tracy”) and produced by Kori Rae (“Up,” “The Incredibles,” “Monsters, Inc.”).

Pixar have targeted their audience particularly well with this outing from Dan Scanlon. There is plenty for children and adults alike, with the characters more colourful than ever in stunning 3D and silliness in spades. With a good old-fashioned message at its heart, MONSTERS UNIVERSITY focuses on that ever-growing number of people; the University student.

All aspects of student life are taken on board, from campus life (including romantic freshmen with guitars on the lawns) to sororities and loud parties. Staying awake for class is also captured beautifully by a four-armed monster with four cups of coffee; a much-needed addition for all soon to be graduates. It is this attention to detail where Pixar is to be commended, considering that the vast majority of people who went to see MONSTERS, INC. in 2001 with their parents are now of University age.

The supporting cast is terrific, once again using Randall ‘Randy’ Boggs (Steve Buscemi) in a lesser role and giving the audience an explanation as to why he hates Mike and Sulley so much. The misfits at Oozma Kappa sorority who Mike and Sulley must befriend to win the hallowed ‘Scare Games’ – organised by a brilliantly cold and frightening Dean Hardscrabble (Helen Mirren) – bring the majority of the laughs as each character is used well and expanded just enough.

Once again with the University theme, knowing audience members will see dance majors and philosophy students represented brilliantly in the form of Teri and Terry (Dave Foley, Sean Hayes) and Art (Charlie Day). Nathan Fillion also makes a suitably mean-spirited appearance as the jock and main rival to the scarer pair, Johnny Worthington. While offering a lot of comedy, the varied and assorted characters provide a lot of heart, presenting the younger audience with the motto, “It’s OK to be OK.” Eagle-eyed viewers will also be eager to catch glimpses of MONSTERS, INC. alumni, including a disguised, rough-voiced Roz (Bob Peterson), Henry Waternoose sporting a funky new hairdo and the staple John Ratzenberger cameo.

It is very interesting and poignant to note (and what puts Pixar above other animation studios) that as Mike and Sulley once again venture into the human world, the vibrancy is replaced with a murky, dark atmosphere. This is a very adult note for Pixar to introduce, and Scanlon and co. should be commended for it.

Continuing the detachment from childhood theme seen in TOY STORY 3, the creators once again ally themselves to an audience who grew up with talking toys, bugs and monsters who live on the other side of a cupboard door. Nothing short of brilliant, Pixar maintain their genius throughout, upholding their mantle and providing a film for all ages.

MONSTERS UNIVERSITY is released in UK cinemas on July 12th and US cinemas on June 21st. MONSTERS UNIVERSITY review by David Steedman, June 2013.