Review of Monsters University (2013) by James Z — 02 Apr 2018

Monsters University is not really necessary and doesn't live up to the first film. After all, there are tons of children who wanted Pixar to make a movie about monsters going to a degree school for higher learning.

I'm siding with Nostalgia Critic on that one. But the movie is surprisingly good in its own right. The animation looks beautiful, visually improving from the first film, the voice acting is good once again showing the fewer limitations of animation by having John Goodman, Billy Crystal and Steve Buscemi (and two surprise cameos from familiar faces) reprise their roles and the jokes, while not as consistenly hilarious as the ones in the first film still made me chuckle.

Although one thing that really stood out for me was the expectation subversion. Since this movie is a prequel, certain events have to occur for the film to stay true to the canon but some surprises still occur.

Monsters University also sends some good life lessons for kids that are more than just the stereotypical "never give up" message. Is Monsters University Pixar's best offerings? No. But is it a good movie by its own merits? You bet.

Although I would want to know how an actual Monsters Inc. 2 would work out.