"Monsters U" doesn't make the grade

Rating: 4/10 (23 June 2013)

Rating: 1 out of Fordyce Hollywood loves sequels, and so do the fans, it seems, but in the case of Monsters University I think even die-hard fans of the first film will be a little disappointed. Regular readers know I am not a big fan of animated movies, so I took someone with who loved the original, Monsters, Inc., and in general likes animated films. This movie is a flashback look at how the relationship between Mike and Sulley began during their days at Monsters University. Billy Crystal and John Goodman are back as the voices of the pair, and several other good celebrity voices are there, including Helen Mirren.
One big problem is that the script is lame and predictable. The other problem is that while Monsters, Inc. has some very funny moments, neither of us laughed during this film. Not once, nada, nope. There were a few giggles from the kids in the audience, but I think most of us were glad this was over after a tedious one hour and 50 minutes that was preceded by a mediocre animated short about two umbrellas and coming attractions for every animated film in production for the next century.
Again, I am not a fan of animated films; some good ones have gotten high marks from me over the years, but not this one. I only give MU a poor one out of Fordyce. My date/mate who likes animated movies said on his FB page "Saw Monsters University last night. Sorry to say was not as fun as the first. Kind of Monsters, Inc. meets Revenge of the Nerds. Some parts were so slow I almost drifted off, and my mate actually DID fall asleep. No really funny moments, either. I'd save your money or wait until Redbox has it for a buck. It gets a two out of four." Certainly not a ringing endorsement from a fan of the franchise and the genre. And, yes, I am the one he is referring to. I did nod off.
Credit Check: There is a cute scene at the end of the movie that was set up earlier in the film, so hang around for that.