Pixar's most underrated?

Rating: 9/10 (4 August 2013)

Apart from Cars and Cars 2 I have seen every Pixar film and I love them. Pixar is one of those rare studios that produce consistently brilliant work that rank up against some of cinemas finest. Pixar manage to craft a film that can appeal to grown ups as much (or even more so) than its intended child audience. What I find annoying is that people keep banging on about a dip in quality from Pixar, and whilst I admit that their last effort, Brave was there worst as it took a direction away from the adult audience, and tried to appeal more to children, however it was still undeniably beautiful to look at and by no means a bad film. Also, let's remember that two of Pixar's absolute best films (Up and Toy Story 3) only came out less than five years ago! So people worrying about a dip in quality really shouldn't worry. Besides Monsters University still ranks up there with the best of them.
I have no idea where these complaints for Monsters University are coming from. I know the reception hasn't been that bad, but the critics haven't been madly praising it like they do with other Pixar classics, which it deserves to be. When I was a child Monsters Inc. was my absolute favourite film. To this day I sleep in a Monsters Inc. duvet and I am now eighteen years old and totally unashamed. Monsters Inc. is one of Pixar's most creative and funniest films and to have a prequel to allow you to enter back into that hilarious and colourful world is an offer only those with the coldest hearts could refuse. The film is Pixar through and through right from the adorable opening which focuses on toddler and loner Mike dreaming of being a scarer, despite his cute looks. It's a sad, funny, engaging and cute opening which had me assured that this was going to be no flop.
Almost every single shot of Monsters University is filled to the brim with colour, life and creativity. If you look in the background you'll see something different going on. The visuals are spectacular, making this a must buy on Blu-ray. As always with Pixar there is a lot of creativity going on. Pixar recognises that there are endless opportunities for animation and they use this to the absolute best that they can. There are breath taking moments such as the hazardous (and hilarious) tunnel race where monsters must run in a pitch black tunnel only lighted by glowing balls of sting. Another visual highlight, which I won't spoil, features a terrifying librarian which I found incredibly creative, funny and also very tense. The animation is as top notch as ever.
What makes Monsters University the perfect prequel is that it doesn't rely on characters and ideas created from Monsters Inc. Don't get me wrong there are plenty of nods and references but not enough to detract from Monsters University. It works perfectly well as a stand alone film and a companion to the original masterpiece. Monsters University introduces a brilliant array of new and very likable characters. I was loving the film in the beginning where Mike was out of his depth in the scare academy and Sully was starting to become a rival. However, I started to enjoy things even more when Mike puts his scare team, Oozma Kappa, together. Here we meet a brilliant batch of new characters who will stay with you long after the credits roll. All of them are brilliantly funny in their own way and everyone's favourite will be different, although personally I enjoyed the mature octopus-like student.
Some people moan about the thin plot, but the plot really didn't bother me. Monsters University relies more on its characters who are all strong and carry the film perfectly. Admittedly the narrative is simple, yet it's engaging and had me cheering the team on! I really didn't want Monsters University to end, and when I thought things were wrapping up, it carried on for another 15 minutes which I loved! The finale is very endearing and heart-warming. It's everything you could expect from a Pixar film. It's also hugely exciting and has you thinking "How the heck are they gonna get out of this!?" I also enjoyed Helen Mirren's hard-nosed Dean Hardscrabble who coldly runs the Scare Academy after beating the all-time scare record (beaten by Sully in the near future of course.) And of course Mike and Sully are as likable as ever. It's fascinating for a Monsters Inc. fan to watch two characters gradually beginning to really like each other. It also has a great moral message to kids about team work and friendship without being patronising.
However, I think (like most of Pixar's productions) that Monsters University will be wasted on children. It can very much be enjoyed by adults, it's certainly no chore to sit through. Monsters University is hugely entertaining and may even leave you wanting more. all certainly be buying it on Blu-ray when it's released, whilst critics can ponder until they finally find the hilarity and genius in it. Whilst it isn't quite as good as Monsters Inc. it really isn't far off and is certainly no decline in Pixar's quality.