A prequel I didn't want, didn't need and didn't care for. I was pleasantly surprised.

Rating: 6/10 (9 August 2017)

MONSTERS UNIVERSITY - 2013
Directed by Don Scanlon
Starring Billy Crystal, John Goodman and Helen Mirren
Plot Overview: ​Ever since he was a kid monster, Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) has dreamed of becoming a Scarer. To make his dream a reality, he enrolls at Monsters University. During his first semester, he meets Sulley (John Goodman), a natural-born Scarer. Sulley and Mike engage in a fierce rivalry that ultimately gets them both kicked out of MU's elite Scare Program. To make things right, Mike and Sulley -- along with a bunch of misfit monsters -- will have to learn to work together.
Considering the greatness of 'Monsters Inc' and the the fine- mediocre track record of Pixar throughout 2011-2012, I had very low expectations for this movie. It should have been so much worse than it was. With that in mind, I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. It is pretty entertaining and I guess I would recommend it overall. It was cute filler content that was clearly made for money but I can't say it is objectively bad. The best way to summarise this movie is: It shouldn't but it does. Interpret that Chinese Proverb as you will but as a whole I cay say I recommend this movie.
I like the idea of them being at a University and I love the concept of the Scare Games. The plot surrounding these two ideas, however, is pretty paper thin and it doesn't' condone the movie's existence. One thing I wish they didn't do was rush through some of The Scare Games' trials. I would have liked some more expanding of the various trials; particularly the one were they must hide because that looks really fun.
I may be in the minority here, but I wish the final 20 minutes was cut. Or at least altered in some way. The last act for this movie isn't funny, emotional, creative - it is just a meaningless buildup that ultimately leads to an emotionless conclusion. Again, I am probably in the minority with this but I wont conform to the general masses' opinion if I do not share it.
Both Billy Crystal and John Goodman reprise their roles as Mike and Sully respectively, and both of them do great jobs in their roles. I love the way they toy with the idea that their friendship wasn't always as close as it is and that they had to work through some issues before hand. And I definitely believe their entire friendship is 100% natural and none of it artificial or forced.
Helen Mirren is a fantastic addition as Dean Hardscrabble. I personally see her as the villain(not Roar Omega Roar) and by treating her as such, she is a pretty good antagonist. She is cruel yet fair and just. She has genuine growth and it all feels genuine. She is a great example of what an animated villain can be like.
​ Other new additions in the form of: Don Carlton(Joel Murray), Terry&Terry(Sean Hayes), Squishy(Peter Sohn) and Art(Charlie Day), were all good.
I like how they setup Randall's character and how they depict his slow descent into villainy. The faction he is apart of(Roar Omega Roar) mostly consists of bland, forgettable characters and I don't remember any of their names. Very disappointing, to be honest. They are supposed to be part of the adversaries in this tournament.
Technically speaking, this movie is excellent. I love the colour palette and actually just the animation in general. The look and feel of the movies falls perfectly in line with the tone at all points. I adore the character design, with Hardscrabble being my personal favourite monster design in the series. The university is very well made and designed. Members of Oozma Kappa all look unique and interesting and their design reflects their personality really well. The cinematography and editing were both fine.
I laughed a few times in the movie; there are some genuinely good and clever jokes. Plus, there is no toilet humour(I think)! This is the evolution we need as a species and I am proud to be a part of the movement that changed cinema humour forever.
There is ONE kinda emotional moment but it just feels tacked on and doesn't move me in any way.
I like this film more than I dislike it, and I can definitely recommend it. It is some cute filler that will satisfy kids and adults alike. I'll rate this movie 6 'Cute Ma-Kappas' out of 10!