Pixar's Monster Inc. is taking you back to school with Monster University. Was it worth it? Yes!

Rating: 8/10 (27 June 2013)

OK, I'm not a huge fan of the prequel fad that been going on in Hollywood these days, but this movie completely pleased me. I guess I'll always be a kid at heart. I loved Monsters Inc. 10 years ago and I was utterly surprised by this prequel. If you have kids yourself and want a great family night, I recommend checking this out. And if you still have that kid inside you, you will most definitely leave this movie with a huge smile on your face. I know I did. This is just a prequel of Monster Inc. Directed by Dan Scanlon, the story is about mostly about Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) quest to become the world's best scarer, due to his hard work and lots of studying, Mike is accepted at the prestigious Monsters University. His quest become challenging, when he meets arrogant, playful, all-brawn, large blue monster Sully (John Goodman) and both often bumps heads. When both of them find themselves kick from the program due to Mike and Sully's petty competition gets out of hand, both must work together to create a team and win the Scare Games, a series of physical challenges that tests a monster's scaring ability, in hopes of joining the program once again. The movie start out slow, and it wasn't until the Scare Games that the story pick up and became interesting and funny. I felt like this was the Disney monsters kid version of 1984's The Revenge of the Nerds. The movie in my opinion, isn't anything new. Monsters University played it safe and silly. It was totally cliché in every way. The underdogs arch, the school stereotypes, the mom. Pixar was once about taking this simple idea and transforming it into something magical, something new. As a follow up, was it better than Monster Inc., no. Don't get me wrong, I do like the movie. As a comedy that teaches its protagonists to either come out of their shells and open themselves up to new kinds of goals and friends, which can help them stand tall even when cynics come hard. I think the journey of Mike and Sully is one of divine intervention. As we see, Mike isn't scary, and Sully isn't that smart. The two of them are forced together to confront which attributes they lack, and with that, the things they can accomplish beyond the Games. I do like the ending, even if it's might angry people. There was an entire scene dedicated to how Mike didn't fail, he just didn't succeed like he wanted. James laid it on the line that he was nothing without him, and the need to be recognized for that isn't important, it's about striving for a goal and adjusting to life's curve balls. That's the true meaning. If they went the other ending, it wouldn't be realistic nor interesting. Sure, it would have been feel good moment, but there are some things some people can't do certain things, even if you try as much as you can. Yes, even with certain scenarios it would seem like you could defy the odds, but life gives you curve balls; that you have to adjust. Some things you can't do. Accepting your limitations is a part of growing up, just like retreating is sometimes the best option for a great war general. It's not giving up on your dreams. It's call being smart. I do like the fact that it shows that people don't really needs to go to university or college to become a qualified professional in a field. In some ways, college became overrated with people seeking titles. Sometimes, by entering the field inside, you become a professional of the field overtime. I guarantee that Pixar would hire the guy who taught himself and is insanely good at animation over the guy who went to school for four years and got an "animation degree" who isn't all that good. Is the movie brainwashing kids that schooling is unnecessary? It's say, no. It's just that certain people had success in life, going through schooling, and other don't. I think this is one of the more understated messages of Pixar: that even though we hold certain lifestyles and beliefs to be ideal, there's always the possibility that something even greater is right around the corner or beyond a flower-decked door. Pixar made the right choice with the college theme. There was speculation that when children between 6-10 years old watched Monsters Inc. they will be exposed to Monsters University when they are between 18-22, the basic 4 years of college life. They planned this well. This movie is perfect for parents who went to college to take their kids to, and both will enjoy. Really, anyone who went to college or fans of fraternity underdog movies will get a huge kick out of this. I love the funny scenes especially when that monster mom started blaring heavy metal unexpectedly, I lost it. I thought the breakdown of scaring technique was really clever, too. Really glad they showed the classroom environment. Lots of growth and good messages in this movie, including: bad actions have consequences, and even if you fail, it's still not the end of the world. A lot of people hate the fact that there wasn't no Boo. Well, this wasn't Monsters 2. It's a prequel. Hopefully one day we'll get a proper sequel. Monsters 2 should about Boo again if made. I was so looking forward to that. I love the cameos of characters from Monsters Inc. Overall: This movie has great charm, comedy and characters that you love.