What is lacks in story it makes up for in almost everything else.

Rating: 9/10 (20 July 2013)

People are starting to lose their hope in Pixar. Ever since Cars 2 disappointed the nation, there hasn't been a Pixar movie with rave reviews. That said, it was only two years ago. I didn't like Cars 2. But I really enjoyed last year's Brave. I also really enjoyed this year's Monsters University.
Monsters University is a harmless film that is at times heartwarming and occasionally hilarious. But yet for Pixar, a studio who has brought us masterpieces such as Ratatouille, Up, Finding Nemo, and Toy Story, Monsters University doesn't quite meet its match. But it's enjoyable for nostalgic reasons. Enjoyable for those who enjoyed Monsters Inc. 12 years ago.
Monsters University rewinds the clock a little bit. We find Mike(voiced by the always wonderful Billy Crystal), our cycloptic hero, attending Monsters University. There, he meets Sully (voiced by the also always wonderful John Goodman),a fur ball with a heart of gold and his future best friend. The two start off as enemies, but soon they join forces in the "Scare Games", a competition to show who's the scariest, in order to get back into the Monster's program, which they have just been kicked out of.
The plot could be a little better, but I think that they mainly wanted to find a way to bring Mike and Sully back to the big screen, and thank God! Crystal and Goodman were the heart and soul of the original, and the same goes here. That said, Monsters U's heart is large.
Monsters U is a respectable prequel that doesn't match Pixar's best work, but honestly it isn't that far off. It has a large heart, some big laughs, and appealing visuals. Also, great voice work from Crystal, Goodman, and Helen Mirren (she's the harsh dean). I warn you, you will leave the theatre hugging yourself. Monsters U isn't the best movie of the summer, but it is up there. See it.
A-