Movie Review: Monsters University

Monsters University / Rated G / Walt Disney - Pixar Animation / 110 min. / Dir. by Don Scanlon

As many of you know, I do not approach the release of a new film from Pixar Animation with a casual attitude.  The "supah-geniuses" at the world's most acclaimed animation studio have a truly remarkable and unparalleled streak of quality and financial success.  While I have bemoaned the lowering of quality of their last two films (you can read my feelings about those here), I do stand by the statement that they have yet to make a bad movie.  At their worst (the "Cars" franchise), they make passably entertaining films, but at their best ("Ratatouille", "Finding Nemo", "The Incredibles", "Up", the "Toy Story" films), they make works of art that stand next to the absolute best Hollywood has to offer, animated or otherwise.

In 2001, they released "Monsters, Inc." and at the time many film critics, while still giving it positive notices, couldn't help but point out that Pixar had begun to get a little formulaic in their plotting.  Now we have "Monsters University", a prequel that, while still clinging to a formulaic plot structure, is the first film from the studio since 2010's "Toy Story 3" that feels breezily, blessedly, unabashadly Pixar-ian.

The film begins with a young Mike Wazowski, the most adorable eyeball with appendages ever spawned, on a field trip with his elementary school class.  He's the smallest, so he gets pushed around a bit and is often left with the teacher when students are called upon to buddy up, but he has a boundless optimism.  This life-changing field trip is to Monsters Incorporated, the factory where energy is created by collecting screams from children in the human world.  After a hapless misadventure in which Mike finds himself in the human world witnessing an expert scream extraction, he becomes convinced that it his destiny to become the greatest scarer in the world.

15 years later, Mike (again, winningly voiced by Billy Crystal) finds himself at Monsters University, ready to take the world by storm.  From this point on, if you've ever seen a college campus comedy, you know the story, so don't expect any great surprises.  There are tests, parties, rush-week shenanigans, mean frat boys, misfit frat boys, a scary Dean (given extra powers of condescension from Helen Mirren), and a frustrating, stupid jock that ends up becoming Mike's best friend.  Of course, if you've seen the first film, you know that jock to be Jimmy Sullivan (John Goodman).  Sulley is there because his entire family have been great scarers and he is seemingly destined to follow the family legacy.  Mike represents hard work, tenacity, and the power of learning.  Sulley represents raw talent.  They both need what the other has in order to succeed, but neither are willing to admit it, which leads to their animosity as well as to their eventual friendship.

The two end up, of course, as members of the loser fraternity, a tribe of misfits known as Oozma Kappa.  They're a lovable bunch, but the most lovable (at least for me) is Art (hilariously voiced by Charlie Day), an easy going hippy-type that looks like a cross between Snuffleufugus and a bicycle lock.  His asides are consistently funny and delightfully random.

As I said before, there's no need to go into plot details.  It's basically a clean "Revenge of the Nerds" with a distinctly Pixar-esque sense of humor and heart.  Are they going to be embarrassed and ridiculed?  Of course.  Are they going to be underdogs without a chance of proving themselves?  No doubt.  Are they going to demonstrate spunk and heart and show what they're really made of? Sure.  What makes "Monsters University" feel fresh isn't the surprises, because there really aren't any.  It feels fresh because of the easy and expert manner in which is entertains.  Unlike "Cars 2", which also was just a flat-out comedy, it doesn't feel coldly calculated to sell toys.  "M.U." exists not merely as a cash grab, but out of a genuine affection for and a sincere desire to revisit these characters.  In fact, the most daring thing about the whole movie is the eventual message.  I won't spoil that for you, but is quite the opposite of the messages found in about every other animated film out there and it's quite refreshing.

One thing about "M.U." that marks a return to form for Pixar is its commitment to plot and character.  There is a satisfying character arc for every lead character and a definite prioritization of staying true to character rather than selling out to cheap jokes, a tendency that had began to creep into Pixar's more recent outings.

"Monsters University" is solidly and unapologeticly mid-tier Pixar.  It's what happens when brilliant artists decide to take a break from redefining the genre (or from trying to overcome sky high expectations) and just have a little bit of fun.  It doesn't reach the same dizzying levels of art and inspiration as their best films, but it is certainly a breath of fresh air compared to some of their more recent efforts.  "M.U." won't leave you stunned, but it certainly left me with smile on a face and an appreciation for a film whose main purpose is to lighten your day.  It's a winning film and terrific way to kick off the summer with your family.

Grade: A-