I liked it but I expect a little more from Pixar films.

Rating: 7/10 (17 July 2013)

'MONSTERS UNIVERSITY': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)
Pixar's animated prequel to their 2001 monster hit 'MONSTERS, INC.' reunites stars Billy Crystal and John Goodman as the voices of monsters Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan. The film tells of how the two met in college and sought after their dreams of becoming 'scarers', while constantly trying to outdo each other. It's a buddy film, like the first, and also Pixar's first campus college flick (in the same tradition as 'ANIMAL HOUSE'). It was directed by Dan Scanlon and written by Daniel Gerson, Robert L. Baird and Scanlon. It features supporting voice cast members like Steve Buscemi, Dave Foley, Charlie Day, Nathan Fillion, Aubrey Plaza, John Krasinski, Bonnie Hunt, Bill Hader, Tyler Labine, Helen Mirren and John Ratzenberger (of course). I was not a huge fan of the original, despite the fact that I'm a big monster movie fan, and have always thought it to be one of Pixar's lesser films. I'd rank this prequel about the same, although it is quite a bit more impressive than Pixar's last animated sequel (2011's 'CARS 2').
Crystal reprises his role as Mike Wazowski and Goodman once again plays James P. Sullivan. The two are best friends in the original film and work as scarers, scaring children in order to provide enough electricity to keep their city's power running. In this prequel they meet in college at 'Monsters University' (despite the fact that it's mentioned, in the original film, that they've known each other since the fourth grade). They're immediately rivals as Sullivan has always gotten by on his size and natural scary looks while Wazowski has had to work hard to be a scarer (despite the fact that he's not naturally scary at all). The film explores how they learn to overcome their differences and work together and respect one another.
The movie is beautifully animated and full of great visuals (but it did reportedly cost over $270 million to make, making it one of the most expensive films ever made). It's funny in places but what I most like about it is it's creativeness with different creature characters (like the original). I hate animated films that are full of dumbed down kids humor but the Pixar films are usually better in this way (than most). This film is clever and full of good message for kids and it's creative but it's also full of college and buddy movie clichés and doesn't have a lot of new ideas to offer (other than the creative creatures). I liked it but I expect a little more from Pixar films. Having not liked the original and really disliking Pixar's last sequel I didn't have too high of expectations for this. It's a good film but not a great one I'd say.
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