Yes, there is a paddling scene!

Rating: 7/10 (23 June 2013)

I infamously hadn't seen "Monsters Inc." until earlier this year. And even after I did, I was lukewarm about it. I mean, it was a creative concept and all, but aside from the visuals, the overall likability of Mike Wazowski and the cuteness factor of Boo, for me it didn't seem to sustain the heightened entertainment value I deemed fit in order to have secured a spot in the upper echelon of the Pixar power rankings. So, going into "Monster University", I was highly skeptical that past the "college" gimmick, this was going to be more of the same, just with more monsters and Mike in a retainer. Suffice to say, I was wrong. In only the second college themed movie to receive a G rating, this prequel to 2001's "Monster's Inc." takes a look back at the relationship between Mike (Billy Crystal) and Sulley (John Goodman), and their first meeting as college students at Monsters University (the rival of Scare Tech. as you all know). Mike is introduced as the monster who seems to have the least "scare potential" but the most heart and Sulley comes in as a jock/legacy, who has it in his mind that he is going to cruise his way through the illustrious Scare program on name and intimidation alone. You can see where this is going. Thematic circumstances dictate that the two must hate each other at first, but eventually work together to take down the jock fraternity, the Alpha Betas (or whatever they are called in this movie) in order to prove that they belong. But while this underdog storyline may sound predictable, it is a combination of the well written comedic dialogue and situations (sans the final act) and insightful commentary on college life, as well as the introduction of more than a few quirky monsters (my favorite being Don, a forty-something student who went back to school "to learn the computers" ) which allows "Monsters University" to be a quite enjoyable experience for all ages. But, let's get to the bigger issue at hand. Which is the question: Does "Monsters University" work without the beloved human character of Boo? The answer is YES. In fact "Monsters University" begins with elementary school Mike, who is pretty damn adorable, and is seemingly meant to take the place of Boo. And even if young Mike is only on screen for about ten minutes, it works. Well, that's kind of a lie because "Monsters University" really begins with a Pixar short that isn't so much amazing as it is alarming; but anywayÂ… With very family friendly references to "Animal House", "Revenge of the Nerds", "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and even "Carrie", director Dan Scanlon (making his feature length Pixar debut) immerses audiences into this collegiate atmosphere, while the writing team of Robert L. Baird, Daniel Gerson, and the director himself put forth a script which proves that G-rated movies can also be funny for adults as well. As always Crystal as the wide-eyed (literally) underdog Mike Wazowski and Goodman as the larger than life Sulley are the stars of the show. But I must make mention of Helen Mirren, who lends her voice to this picture, playing Dean Hardscrabble, the most menacing looking villainess since Ursula. Seriously, she is something out of a Franz Kafka novel. Timely reference, I know.
Final Thought: While "Monsters Inc." was an interesting concept, "Monsters University" is clearly the more entertaining film; even if only by the slightest bit. Sure, children under a certain age may not get all of the college references and there is sort of a second ending here where Mike and Sully have a bonding moment, which does make this movie seem overlong (clearly overstaying its welcome for more than a few small children at my screening) and yes, a PG-rated "Monsters University" would have left the door open for at least one panty raid. But what can I say? The rather hilarious college themed atmosphere, from the spot on orientation sequences, to the college aged monsters in flip flops playing hacky sack on the lawn, to the singing of the Monsters University school song, all had me enjoying this movie maybe more than I should have.
Written by Markus Robinson, Edited by Nicole I. Ashland
Follow me on Twitter @moviesmarkus